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f  OP  (J) 

I  ZSTQUmir  OKT  XUXSSZONS,  I 

I      THE  STATE  OF  RELIGION.      | 

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PRINCETON,     N.    J. 


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SPIRITUAL  TREASURY 

Ft)R    THE 

CHIIiJDlREM  OIF  <GrOB : 


COXSISTING    OF 


A  MEDITATIO.VFOR  EACH  MORjYIjYG  IjY  THE  YEAR, 


^t\ttt  (Ztxti  of  ^tripturc^ 

o 

HUMBLY    INTEXDED    TO    ESTABLISH    THE    FAITH,    PROMOTE    THE 

COMFOltT,    AND    INFLUENCE    THE     PRACTICE    OF    THt 

FOLLOWERS    OF    THE    LAMB. 

BY  WILLIAM  MASON,  ESQ. 


AVlierc  your  trcnsurc  is,  tiiere  will  yoiu-  heart  be  also Matt.  TJ.  21. 


IX  TWO  VOLUMES. 

VOL.   I.  ^ 

THE  FOURTH  AMERICAN  EDITION. 


PUBLISHED  BY  J.  SIMPSON  &  CO 

I..  DEARE,    PRINTER. 


PREFACE. 


READER, 

I  HAVE  found  a  sweet  savour  of  Jesu's  precious 
name,  free  grace,  and  perfect  salvation,  in  these  medita- 
tions ;  and  therefore  I  am  persuaded  it  will  be  doing  thee 
great  service  to  recommend  them  to  thy  perusal.  They 
will  be  profitable  to  thee,  if  thou  art  hungering  and  thirst- 
ing after  Jesus  and  his  righteousness  ;  or  if  thou  art  one 
of  those  happy  souls  who  know  Jesus  to  be  the  Lord  by  the 
Holy  Ghost,  and  art  desiring  to  grow  in  the  knowledge  of 
his  adorable  person,  and  in  the  love  of  the  Father  through 
him ;  may  the  Lord  the  Spirit  witness  to  thy  heart  of 
Jesus,  whilst  thou  art  reading  them,  and  render  them  the 
means  of  glorifying  Jesus  in  thy  life  and  conversation, 
that  thou  mayest  learn  from  every  page  to  trust  him  more, 
to  hope  more  in  him,  and  to  love  him  more,  who  is  thy 
all ;  and  if  thou  livest  upon  him  in  all,  he  will  be  thy 
heaven  upon  earth,  and  thy  heaven  of  heavens  in  eternal 
glory.  To  his  tender  compassion  I  commend  thee  and 
thine,  being  thy  well-wisher  (whoever  thou  art)  in  that 
ever  dear  Lord. 


W.  KOMALNE.* 


L-.imbctli,  June   13,    ]765. 


ABBHESB. 


QHRISTIAN  READER, 

felLVER  of  human  eloquence,  and  gold  of  acquired 
literature,  have  I  none;  but  such  as  I  have,  I  give  to  thee, 
plain  truth  in  plain  style,  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ, 
He  is  our  one  master.  It  has  been  my  earnest  prayer,  that 
to  his  glory  mine  eye  might  be  single.  One  grand  point 
has  been  my  chief  aim,  namely,  to  exalt  the  Lord  Jesus, 
the  perfection  of  his  atonement  and  righteousness,  and  die 
glory  of  his  salvation.  This  I  have  found  the  blessed 
support  and  joyful  triumph  of  my  own  soul,  while  exercis- 
ed with  great  disorder  and  weakness  of  body,  in  this  work. 
If  the  Lord  and  giver  of  all  grace,  is  pleased  to  bless  this 
feeble  attempt  to  the  spiritual  profit  of  any  of  his  dear 
children,  to  him  only  all  the  glory  is  due. 

As  love  covereth  a  multitude  of  faults,  and  tlie  i^rayer 
of  faith  availeth  much,  may  these,  reader,  be  excited  in 
behalf  of  the  following  sheets ;  and  towards  him  who 
desires  to  esteem  it  his  highest  honor,  and  greatest  glory 
on  earth,  to  confess  imd  serve  the  Loid  Christ,  though 
less  than  the  least  of  all  his  ser^'antS;  and  thine  also  for 
his  sake. 

,  W.  MASON. 

Rotherhithe-wull." 


LIFE  OF  THE  AUTHOR. 


TROM  THE  LONDON  EVANGELICAL  MAGAZINE, 


X  HE  subject  of  this  memoir  was  bom  at  Rotherhithe,  in  tlte 
county  of  Surrey,  in  the  year  1719.  His  father  was  by  trade  a  clock- 
maker.  He  gave  his  son  a  decent  education  at  a  grammar-school, 
where  he  learnt  the  rudiments  of  the  Latin  language  ;  and,  possess- 
ing a  mind  naturally  inquisitive,  devoted  many  hours  of  his  younger 
years  to  reading.  At  a  proper  age  he  was  bouad  an  apprentice  to 
his  father;  who  having  no  idea  beyond  the  acquisuion  ot  present  good, 
took  no  pains  to  train  him  up  in  the  way  he  should  go,  or  to  impress 
his  mind  with  the  truths  of  revelation. 

Just  before  the  expiration  of  his  apprenticeship,  his  father  was  re- 
moved by  death.  By  this  event  Providence  culled  him  very  early  ia 
life  to  act  the  part  of  a  Joseph.  A  mother.^  a  sister^  and  a  brother, 
liow  became  his  charge.  When  reflecting  on  this  circumstance,  and 
llie  direction  and  support  wliich  that  God,  whose  ways  are  in  the  great 
deep,  was  pleased  to  afford  him,  tears  of  gratitude  would  frequently 
burst  from  his  eyes,  and  the  language  ofpraise  fail  from  his  lips.  To 
his  mother  he  rendered,  to  the  day  of  her  deaths  all  that  assistance 
Avhich  duly,  affection  and  industry,  could  inspire.  Ilis  sister,  by 
marriage,  was  taken  from  under  his  protection,  and  in  a  few  years 
died.  His  brother,  who  yet  survives,  was,  when  very  young  left  to 
his  care,  whom  he  put  to  school,  and  afterwards  brought  liim  up  to 
his  own  business. 

At  the  age  of  twenty-two,  he  gave  his  hand  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Cox,  with  whom  he  lived  in  happy  union  nearly  fifty  years,  and  which 
only  terminated  in  his  death.  He  frequently  acknowledged  the  good- 
ness of  God,  in  restraining  in  him  the  violence  of  youthful  passions. 
Though  his  mind  was  not  impressed  with  religious  truths,  yet  at  no 
one  period  was  he  led  captive  by  those  vices  to  whicli  youth  arc  partir 
cularly  addicted.  But,  as  his  moral  conduct  was  exemplary,  he  deriv- 
ed from  it  no  small  hope  of  obtaining  favor  from  God.  He  constantly 
attended  his  parish  church,  and  was  seldom  absent  from  the  sacra- 
ujent ;  but,  to  use  Uie  language  of  the  Prqphet,  he  found  <«  the  bed 

Vol.  I.  A 


6  LIFE  OF  THE  AUTHOR. 

shorter  than  that  a  man  can  stretch  himself  on  it,  and  the  covering 
narrower  than  that  he  can  wrap  himself  in  it."  His  mind  was  not  un- 
frequently  distressed  with  tlie  suspicion,  that  he  was  not  so  good  as 
he  ought  to  be.  His  conscience  would  sometimes  upbr^d  him  with 
the  omission  of  duty  and  the  commission  of  sin.  Being  at  this  time 
wholly  unacquainted  with  the  nature  of  evangelical  sentiments,  and 
that  peace  which  results  from  the  knowledge  of  Jesus  Christ,  as  oui* 
wisdom,  righteousness,  sanctification,  and  redemption,  he  would 
seclude  himself  from  the  world,  and,  by  agonizing  in  prayer,  endeavor 
to  perfect,  by  the  flesh,  that  righteousness  which  he  had  long  been 
attenipthig  to  establish  Being  convinced  that  no  exertions  of  his  own 
would  produce  that  happiness  which  his  mind  was  ardently  set  upon, 
and  finding  that  the  system  of  mere  Heathenish  moiality,  which  he 
had  been  accustomed  to  hear  at  his  parish  church,  would  administer 
no  relief  to  his  soul ;  he  began  occasionally  to  attend  at  Mr.  Wesley's 
chapels,  and  in  a  few  years  was  admitted  into  their  societies,  and  ap- 
pointed a  leader  of  a  class. 

His  new  connection  soon  brought  upon  him  the  persecution  of  the 
nvorld.  In  a  diary,  which  he  wrote  in  the  year  1749,  he  has  this  re- 
mark :  Aug.  6.  » I  was  severely  reflected  on  by  one,  who  cursed  and 
swore  at  me,  saying  I  was  commenced  preacher :  I  was  despised  in 
the  company  of  die  world  ;  a  good  lesson  to  nie,  that  I  am  called  out 
of  the  world."     This  wus  succeeded  by  another  persecution  of  the 

tongue  :  «•  My  worth)  fi lend  th^  Rev.  Dr. rages  nughtily  :  He 

says,  I  have  ruined  a  good  Christian  family,  for  whom  he  had  the 
-greatest  love.  As  for  me,  1  am  melancholy  mad ;  or,  as  another 
honest  inoffensive  clergyman  tells  me,  I  perplex  myself  too  much 
about  religion." 

But  this  was  not  the  only  pei^ecution  he  met  with.  Many  of  his 
former  acquaintance  not  only  deserted  him,  init  used  their  endeavours 
to  injure  him  in  his  buomess  ;  several  captidns  of  ships,  who  before 
had  given  liim  large  orders,  now  entirely  withdrew  their  favors,  and 
he  had  the  very  trying  prospect  of  an  increasing  family,  witli  a  de- 
creasing trade.  To  this  circumstance  he  ^dludes  in  his  Spirituai; 
TuKASUKY,  in  the  meditation  from  Luke  xxii.  35,  Lacked  ye  any 
thing?  Jnd  they  said,  Xothing.  He  begins  it:  "Precious  words  to  me  I 
With  tears  of  Uiankfulncss  I  record  the  goodness  of  my  Lord  to  the 
chifcf  of  sinners.  Upwards  of  twenty  years  ago,  when  it  pleased  him  to 
call  mc  by  his  grace,  and  make  me  happy  in  his  love,  my  name  was 
cast  out  as  evil— friends  became  foes^their  hands  were  against  me— 
they  withdrew  their  favors  from  me,  and  derided  me;  under  narrow 
circumstances,  tender  feelings  for  a  large  l\mnly,  carnal  reasonings  of 
my  corrupt  nature,  and  strong  temptations  from  the  enemy,  I  was 
often  sore  distressed.     But  my  Lord  was  gracious  ;  many  and  many 


LIFE  OF  THE  AUTHOR,  '7 

a  time  did  he  bring  this  text  to  my  mind,  Lackedst  thou  any  thing  ? 
I  was  constrained  with  gratitude  to  reply,  jYo thing;  Lord  :  Christ  is 
a  most  precious  Master  to  serve  I  I  have  proved  it." 

During-  his  connection  with  Mr.  Wesley,  though  he  in  a  great 
measure  perceived  the  insufficiency  of  his  own  rigiiteousness  to  jus- 
tify him  before  God  (for  in  the  diary  before  alluded  to,  he  expresses 
himself  thus,  «  I  would  as  soon  attempt  to  swim  by  the  hi  Ip  of  a 
mill-stone,  as  to  rely  on  my  own  works  for  salvation")  ;  yet  the  doc- 
trine which  he  had  been  taught  to  believe  to  bt  scriptural,  that  a  per- 
son may  be  one  day  high  in  the  favor  of  God,  and  the  next,  an  obj.  rt 
of  the  divine  vengeance,  would  often  make  him  niistrablt-.  Unc  night 
returning  from  Mr.  Wesley's  chapel,  under  great  dejection  of  mind, 
fearing  he  should  not  ba  faithful  to  grace  received,  cuid  so  make  ship- 
wreck of  faith,  and  finally  perish  ;  these  words  were  im.nediately 
suggested  to  his  muid  :  "  If  when  we  were  enemies  we  were  recon- 
ciled to  God,  by  the  death  of  his  Son,  much  more  being  reconciled 
we  shall  be  saved  by  his  Ufe."  His  fears  instantly  subsided,  his  con- 
science felt  a  calm,  to  which  before  it  was  a  stranger,  and  his  mind 
■was  made  happy  in  the  belief  of  the  truth. 

In  his  next  interview  with  Mr.  Wesley,  he  hinted  at  the  doctrine 
of  the  saints'  final  perseverance  ;  upon  tliis  Mr.  Wesley  asked, 
«  Where  have  you  been  to  learn  that  ?"  He  related  the  distress  of  his 
mind,  together  with  the  cause  of  it,  and  the  means  by  «nich  he  liad 
been  relieved.  As  his  understanding  became  more  cnhghn  i.ed,  he 
found  this  connection  less  desirable;  he  was  less  pleased  wnh  tlie  So- 
ciety, ?Jid  they  were  not  more  satisfied  with  him  :  His  atteiukaice  on 
ministers  who  preached  the  Calvinistiq  doctrines  soon  procured  his 
dismission. 

He  now  become  personally  acquainted  with  the  Rev.  Mr  White- 
field,  was  particularly  intimate  with  the  Rev.  Mr.  Jones,  Chaplain 
of  St.  Saviour's,  Soutliwark,  and  had  the  happiness  to  class  among 
his  dearest  friends  the  Rev.  Mr.  Romaine,  for  whom,  to  the  day  of 
his  death,  he  ever  expressed  the  most  sincere  regard,  having  sat  for 
many  years  under  his  ministry. 

In  the  religions  world  he  was  well  known  as  an  author.  Many  of 
his  productions  have  met  with  general  acceptance.  He  liad  been  fre- 
quently solicited  to  exercise  himself  in  public  preaching,  which  he 
as  often  declined,  under  the  impression  of  his  not  !)cing  called  to 
glorify  Ciud  in  that  service.  Though  he  could  never  be  prevailed 
upon  to  comply  with  the  solicitations  of  his  friends  in  that  particular, 
yet  his  talents  were  not  laid  up  in  a  napkin  ;  for  since  his  death  his 
family  have  found  among  his  papers,  letters  from  correspondents  in 
England,  Scotland,  Ireland,  and  America,  expressing  the  spiritual 
benefits  they  devived  from  liis  publications. 


»  LIFE  OF  THE  AUTHOR. 

He  first  appeared  as  a  writer,  in  a  pamphlet  under  the  title  of  «  3/o- 
rality  not  Christianity  ;  or  remarks  on  a  very  extraordinary  Sermon, 
preached  at  St.  George's,  Southwark,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Wingfield, 
Curate  of  said  parish  ;  in  a  letter  to  that  Gentleman,  by  a  Layman  of 
the  Church  of  England." 

In  the  year  1754,  he  published  some  "Flai?i  Queries^humbly  offered 
to  the  C/t'r^j/,with  an  expostulatory  address  to  the  Laity  of  the  Church 
of  England,  on  the  declension  of  scriptural  Christianity." 

He  wrote, in  the  year  1758,  ^'■Remarks  and  Observations  07i  the  Mo- 
rality anclDiviiiity  contained  in  Dr. Freehs  CertuiriArticleSf  proposed 
to  the  Court  oJ'Assista}it8  of  the  nvorshipfui  company  of  i>alters^  in  a 
letter  to  the  Rev.  Dr.  Free."  The  motto  in  the  title-page  is,  <'as  fkee, 
and  not  using  your  liberty  as  a  cloak  of  maliciousness,"  \  Peter  li.  16. 
He  evidences  in  these  pieces,  a  knowledge  of  his  subject,  an  ac- 
quaintance with  the  scriptures,  and  a  concern  for  the  glory  of  God. 
Though  he  much  disapproved  of  the  Armenian  doctrines  offree  will, 
jusfijication  by  works,  universal  redemptiofi,  Ecc.  yet  was  he  no  less  an 
enemy  to  the  licentious  tenets  of  the  Antinomians  ;  and,  at  the  time 
when  Mr.  Relly  disturbed  the  peace  of  the  church,  by  his  unsciip- 
tural  preaching,  and  his  Treatise  of  Union,  he  nobly  appeared  to  de- 
fend that  truth,  "which  is  according  to  godliness,"  and  printed  a  pam- 
phlet under  this  title,  '^Jntinorman  Heresy  Exploded.,  in  an  Appeal  to 
the  Christian  world,  against  the  Unscripiural  Doctrines,  and  Licen- 
tious Tenets,  of  Mr.  James  Relly,  advanced  in  his  Treatise  of  Union." 

In  a  pamphlet  which  he  published  under  the  title,  "•  Alethodism  dis- 
played, and  Enthusiasm  detected  ;  intended  as  an  Antidote  against  the 
delusive  principles  and  unscriptural  Doctrines  of  a  modern  Set  of 
seducing  Preachers  ;  and  as  a  Defence  of  our  regular  and  orthodox 
Clergy,  from  their  unjust  reflections  ;  addressed  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ro- 
maine,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Jones,  &c."  he  might  truly  adopt  the  language 
of  St.  Paul,  "  I  caught  you  with  guile.'*  Many  eagerly  bought  it, 
who  afterwards  heartily  repented  of  their  purchase.  A  gentleman 
passing  by  a  book-seller's  shop,  caught  by  the  title-page,  went  in  and 
bought  it.  In  the  evening,  after  the  business  of  the  day  was  over,  he 
put  it  into  the  hand  of  his  son,  saying,  he  had  purchased  it  as  an  an- 
tidote against  that  poisonous  doctrhic  he  bad  lately  imbibed,  and  in- 
sisted upon  his  reading  it,  hoping  it  would  prevent  his  running  after 
a  se"i  of  enthusiastic  preachers.  The  son  obeyed.  While  reading 
the  first  and  second  pages,  the  father  frequently  interrupted  him  by 
saying,  Mind  that :  But  proceeding  a  little  farther,  he  soon  perceived 
the  design  of  the  author  ;  and  altering  his  language,  begged  he  would 
cast  it  behind  the  fire  :  the  son  replied,  "  Sir,  1  bcgiui  to  read  it  at 
your  request,  do  suffer  \nc  to  finish  it." 


LIFE  OF  THE  AUTHOR.  ^ 

As  a  farther  proof  of  the  vivacity  of  his  disposition,  one  day  read- 
ing Mr!  Wesley's  C/iri-stian  Library^  unci  observing  in  hovv-  muiiy  pla- 
ces he  had  published  the  works  of  tliose  who  hud  luuiniuiiied  the  doc- 
trine of  imputed  righteousness,  he  immediately  formed  the  design  of 
making  extracts,  wliich  he  accordingly  did,  and  sent  them  into  the 
world,  under  the  title  of"  The  ScrifitureDoctrme  of  Imputed  Righte- 
ouanens,  asserted  and  maintained  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Joim  Wesley,  A.  M. 
late  Fellow  of  Lincoln  College,  Oxford."  This  little  piece  was  soon 
caught  up.  It  quickly  ran  through  the  societies  in  London,  and  at 
length  reached  Ireland,  where  Mr.  Wesley  then  was.  One  of  his 
preachers  coming  to  thank  him  for  the  very  excellent  piece  he  had 
lately  published,  on  the  doctrine  of  imputed  righteousness,"Mr.  Wes- 
ley instantly  started  with  amazement,  and  pronouriced  it  a  pious  fraud ; 
but  the  book  being  produced,  and  the  contents  read,  he  found  in  the 
last  page,  that  the  whole  was  declared  to  be  taken  from  his  Christian 
Library. 

After  publishing  several  small  pieces  for  children,  (A  plain  Ser- 
mon, recommended  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Jones  ;  A  Catechism  ;  The  His- 
tory of  Jesus  ;  A  precious  Testimony  of  Jesus,  in  the  Experience  of 
two  children,  one  ten,  the  other  twelve  years  of  age),  he  entered  upon 
that  work  which  will  long  live  in  the  remembrance  of  those  who  have 
read  it;  two  volumes  entitleef,  "^  Sjiiritual  Treasury  for  the  Chil- 
dren of  Godi  consisting  of  a  Meditation  for  each  Day  in  the  Year,  up- 
on select  texts  of  Scripture  ;"  The  first  volume  for  morning,  the 
second  for  evening.  Never  did  a  miser  arise  with  greater  avidity  from 
his  bed,  to  accumulate  wealth,  than  he  did  to  compose  these  medita- 
tions. Hence,  while  others  were  indulging  themselves  in  sleep,  he 
would  be  up  in  the  morning,  in  the  depth  of  winter,  at  four  o'clock, 
would  sit  in  his  room  without  a  fire,  and  has  declared,  that  his  min<l 
was  so  intent  on  the  glorious  and  animating  truths,  on  wliicii  he  was 
writing,  that  he  felt  no  cold. 

While  executing  this  work,  a  gentleman  waited  upon  liim  on  bu- 
siness. Instead  of  taking  his  name  and  address  as  desired,  and  as  he 
thought  he  had  done,  he  wrote  the  chapter  and  verse  on  which  he  had 
been  meditating,  and  when  he  came  afterwards  to  look  at  the  papei- 
in  order  to  wait  upon  the  gentleman,  he  found  nothing  upon  it  but 
^cts  the  seco7id,  verse  the  eighth  ;  so  much  was  his  mind  absorbed  in 
divine  things.  He  has  frequently  mentioned  the  many  happy  sea- 
sons he  enjoyed  when  writing  his  Treasury,  and  he  lived  to  ki.ow  that 
his  labor  was  not  in  vain  in  the  Lord. 

As  he  professed  himself  a  member  of  the  estoblished  Church,  and 
constantly  attended  her  worship,  he  felt  a  concern  that  many,  who 
had  written  on  the  Lord's  Supper,  had  advanced  doctrines  which 
were  in  direct  opposition  to  those  maintained  and  taught  in  her  Ar- 


1ft  LIFE  OF  THE  AUTHOR. 

tides.  The  Comfmnion  to  the  Jltar  may  do  lor  a  self-righteous  mo- 
ralist ;  but  it  is  a  miserable  guide  to  a  mind  enlightened  by  the  Spirit 
of  God.  He  the  refore  publislicd  a  small  octavo,  under  the  title  of 
^^The  Christian  Communicant,  or  a  suital)le  Companion  to  the  Lord's 
Supper."  Mr.  Romaine,  in  his  Recommendatory  Preface,  says,  "The 
subject  here  treated  of,  is  one  of  the  deep  things  of  God,  of  which 
none  can  write,  as  Mr.  Mason  has,  unless  he  be  in  heart  alive  to 
God;  nor  can  any  but  such  understand  the  nature  of  the  ordinance, 
or  be  fed  and  nourished  at  it." 

It  might, perhaps,prove  tiresome  to  our  readers  tonotice  the  whole 
of  his  publications.  The  Believer's  Pocket  Companion  met  with  a 
very  favorable  reception,  and  in  a  very  little  time  ran  through  six 
editions.  After  the  death  of  Mr.  Toplady  he  became  the  editor  of 
the  Gospel  Magazine,  which  he  solely  coi^ducted  for  several  years  ; 
and  in  this  publication  first  appeared  his  notes  on  Banyan's  Pilgrijn. 
Though  as  a  private  christiim  and  an  author,  Mr.  Mason  was  dis- 
tinguished from  many  religious  characters,  yet  he  was  too  sensible 
of  the  depravity  of  his  nature,  and  the  spirituality  of  God's  law,  not 
to  feel  and  acknowledge  that  he  was  wholly  indebted  to  the  sovereignty 
of  divine  grace  for  whatever  he  enjoyed  in  preference  to  the  genera- 
lity of  Christians  ;  and  would  frequently  express  himself  in  the  lan- 
guage of  the  apostle,  By  the  grace  of  God  I  am  what  lam. 

Having  presented  our  readers  Avith  a  striking  likeness  of  the  sub- 
ject of  these  memoirs,  and  faithfully  delineated  the  prominent  features 
of  his  mind,  wc  would  not  pass  over  unnoticed  those  imperfections, 
from  v/hich  he  only  was  cntierly  free,  "  who  v/as  holy,  harmless,  ur.- 
defiled,  and  separate  from  sinners." 

He  was  naturally  very  warm  and  hasty  :  and  as  the  heat  of  his 
temper  would  sometimes  gain  an  ascendancy  Dver  his  judgnient,  in 
the  moments  of  cool  reflection  it  would  produce  the  mobt  serious  con- 
trition. Being  frequently  called  to  struggle  with  this  constitutional 
evil,  he.  thought,  on  this  account,  no  person,  more  competent  to  point 
out  the  sinfulness  of  yielding  to  passion,  and  the  evil  eft'ects  which 
flow  from  an  ungovernable  warmth  of  temper. 

His  mind  being  deeply  impressed  with  the  truth  of  that  scripture, 
The  ornament  of  a  meek  and  quiet  spirit  is  in  the  sight  of  God  of  greet 
/jrzV^and  his  conscience  feeling  the  smart  of  that^-of/Zy  sorrow  which 
workcth  repentance  tosalvation,hc  wrote  "An  affectionate  Address  to 
passionate  Professors,"  shewing  the  blessedness  of  a  meek  and  quiet 
ppiiit>  the  evil  of  giving  way  to  bad  tempers,  and  pointing  out  some 
likely  means  for  subduing  them.  He  begins  this  little  tract  with, 
<'  My  brethren,  suffer  a  word  of  exhortation  from  a  heart  that  knows 
Its  own  bitierness,  and  gronns  under  the  ruins  of  a  sinful  nature  and ' 
disordered  passions.     Pernut  one,  who  frceJy  owns  witli  grief  and 


lif£  of  the  author.  ^    1 1 

shame,  that  he  is  naturally  of  a  very  hasty  temper  and  passionate  dis- 
position,, to  address  you  on  the  evil  of  indulging  and  giving  way  to 
this.  In  this  attempt,  I  huni'jly  crave  your  most  serious  attention 
and  afitctionate  regard,  hoping  therein  mine  eye  is  singly  directed 
to  our  Lord's  glory,  and  my  heart  sincerely  engaged  for  your  spi- 
ritual good,  and  my  own.  Bear  with  my  freedom,  as  I  assure  you 
I  desire  to  write  form  my  otvn  sense  and  experience  of  this  evil,  as 
well  us  from  observation  of  it  in  others.  I  would  apply  to  my  own. 
soul  a\\  that  I  write  to  you  :  and  desire  to  fall  under  every  conviction 
myself^  which  I  may  bring  against  you." 

'  Having  been  long  named  in  the  commission  of  the  peace  for  the 
county  of  Surrey,  in  the  year  1783  he  retired  from  business,  and  be- 
came an  acting  magistrate  As  tlie  evening  of  life  was  now  drawing 
on,  he  thought,  in  this  department,  he  might  employ  those  hours  for 
the  public  good,  which  otherwise  might  appear  to  himself  dull,  and 
to  others  useless. 

About  four  years  previous  to  his  death,  he  first  felt  a  slight  stroke 
of  the  palsy.  His  speech  for  a  few  days  was  interrupted,  and  he  com- 
plained of  a  pain  and  numbness  in  his  head.  It  then  left  him;  but  not 
without  having,  in  some  degree^  impaired  his  faculties.  About  two 
years  after,  while  performing  the  duty  of  a  magistrate  at  Union-Hall, 
in  the  borough  of  Southwark,  he  suddenly  fell  from  his  chair,  and 
was  taken  up  speechless:  from  this  shock  he  also  recovered;  but  not 
without  a  greater  debility  of  the  mental  powers. 

On  the  morning  of  his  death,  he  intended  to  walk  as  usual;  was  as 
perfectly  in  health  as  he  had  been  for  some  time,  and  appeared  to  pos- 
sess a  more  than  common  vivacity  :  he  ran  down  stairs  with  an  un- 
usual agility  ;  and  when  engaged  in  prayer  with  his  family,  evinced  a 
more  than  common  degree  of  fervor.  About  eleven  o'clock  in  the 
forenoon,  as  he  was  walking  in  his  own  room,  in  a  moment  he  was  de- 
prived of  the  use  of  his  limbs  on  one  side.  An  apothecary  and  phy- 
sician were  immediately  called  in  ;  but  death  hud  received  his  com- 
mission. In  less  than  two  hours,  his  speech,  which  from  the  first  had 
faultered,  was  entirely  taken  away;  and  though  it  would  have  afforded 
his  surviving  relatives  the  greatest  pleasure,  to  have  heard  him,  in  his 
dying  moments,  extol  that  Saviour,  whom  having  not  seen  he  loved, 
and  boast  of  that  salvation  from  which  he  had  derived  unspeakable 
joys  ;  yet  that  God,  who  orders  all  things  after  the  counsel  of  hi^.own 
will,  was  pleased  to  deny  them  that  privilege  ;  for  at  eleven  o'clock 
in  the  evening  of  the  same  day,  Sept.  29,  1791,  in  the  7od  year  of 
his  age,  he  breathed  his  last. 

He  has  left  a  widow,  two  daughters  and  a  son.     His  remains  were 
interred  in  the  church  of  St.  Mary  Magdalene,  BcTmoudscy,  in  which 


12  LIFE  OF  THE  AUTHOR. 

parish  he  had  resided  upwards  of  sixty  years,  and  where,  for  the  last 
•twelve  years  of  his  life,  he  attended  on  his  soh's  ministry. 

Mr.  M.  may  with  strict  propriety  be  classed  among  the  good*  the 
great,  and  useful  of  society.  In  his  personal  appearance,  there  was 
nothing  to  impress  a  stranger  with  a  favorable  idea  of  his  talents  ; 
but  in  company,in  his  conversation  evidenced  marks  of  superior  sense 
and  prevailing  piety,  and  rendei'ed  him  an  instructive  and  entertaining 
companion.  Influenced  by  the  power  of  divine  grace,  he  glorified 
God  in  his  generation.  His  soul  was  the  peaceful  residence  of  all  the 
social  virtues.  In  the  discharge  of  the  filial,  fraternal,  conjugal,  and 
parental  duties,  he  was  cheerful  and  exact.  The  urgencies  of  busi- 
ness were  never  sufiered  to  intrude  upon  the  more  urgent  claims  of 
his  soul.  In  persecution  for  righteousness  sake  "his  heart  was  fixed, 
trusting  in  the  Lord  ;"  and  at  length  he  had  the  happiness  to  expe- 
rience, that  God  had  "  redeemed  his  soul  from  all  adversity,  and 
brought  him  through  fire  and  water,  into  a  wealthy  place."  Many 
years  he  lived  on  Jesus  Christ,  as  the  alp.ha  and  omega  of  his  own 
salvation,  and  possessed  the  enviable  talent,  of  recommending  him  to 
others  with  peculiar  advantage.  His  mind  was  equally  averse  to  the 
leaven  of  Pharisaical  pride  and  Antinomian  presumption  ;  which  he 
considered  as  dangerous  extremes,  and  against  which  his  exertions 
were  uniformly  and  equally  directed.  Though  he  was  never  dignified 
with  the  epithet  of  reverend^  or  elcviited  to  the  pulpit,  yet  by  the  dis- 
creet husbandry  of  histin-.c,  he  was  enabled  to  compose  those  works, 
■which,  during  his  life-time,  rendered  him  useful  to  thousands  ;  and 
which  will  embulni  his  memory,  and  convey  instruction  to  succeed- 
ing generations. 

Reader,  for  thee  this  memoir  v/as  collected — ^not  for  the  entertain- 
ment of  thy  leisure  moments,  but  for  the  improvement  of  thy  future 
days.  Learn  from  the  character  and  conduct  of  a  private  individual, 
that  real  worth,  heavenly  wisdom,  and  extensive  usefulness,  are  not 
confined  to  men  of  public  profession.  Let  Jesus  and  his  salvation  be 
thy  first  concern.  Assured  of  his  favor,  make  it  thy  study  to  live  for 
God,  and  glorify  him  in  thy  body  and  spirit,  w:hich  are  his.  Then, 
when  called  to  drop  the  veil  of  mortality,  thou  wilt  survive  in  tlie 
esteem  of  his  saints,  the  excellent  of  the  earth,  and  be  rewarded  by 
the  admiration  of  posterity— rwhile  thy  happy  spirit,  wafted  to  the 
regibiis  of  bliss,  shall  enjoy  in  the  beatific  presence  of  Jcsius,  ineffable 
and  etcinal  fclicitv. 


SMRITUAIL  TREASURY, 


JANUARY  L 


Thou  shalt  be  called  by  a  new  name^  which  the  mouth  of 
the  Lord  shall  name. — Isa.  ixii.  2. 

A  HIS  is  predicted  of  the  church  of  God ;  which,  according  to 
coveniint-transactions  of  the  glorious  Trmity,  stands  in  the  nearest 
and  dearest  relation  to  jEsus'her  head.  She  is  here  spoken  of  as  a 
single  person,  thou:  she  is  called  "  Christ's  body,"  Col  i.  24,  and 
«  the  bride,  the  lanib's  wife,"  'Rev.  xxi  9  ;  of  whom,  saith  God  the 
Father,  "  I  have  loved  thee  with  an  everlasting  love,"  Jer.  xxxi.  3. 
Yea,  saith  the  Son  of  God  to  his  Father,  of  all  his  beloved  members, 
"  Thou  hast  loved  them  as  thou  hast  loved  me,  and  thou  lovest  me 
before  the  foundation  of  the  world,"  John  xvii.  28,  24.  O  most 
comforting  truths  of  God's  word  !  how  ancient  is  tlie  love  of  God  to 
his  church  !  That  God  should  love  us  miserable  smners  at  all  is 
amazing  ;  but  that  he  should  love  us  with  the  very  same  everlasting 
unchangeable  love,  wherewith  he  loves  his  own  beloved  Son,  this 
surpasseth  all  knowledge  !  This  love  is  the  source  of  all  blessings  in 
time  ;  this  love  secures  all  happiness  in  eternity. 

The  Son  of  God  has  manifested  his  infinite  love  to  his  church,  by 
conflicting  with  and  overcoming  all  the  powers  of  earth  and  hell  for 
her  sake.  He  most  dearly  purchased  her,  m  a  way  of  strict  justice, 
with  his  most  precious  blood.  But  he  finds  every  one  of  his  ransomed 
ones  branded  with  this  old  name  of  infamy,  a  sinner  :  it  being  near 
six  thousand  ycarssince  first  entailed.  By  nature  we  are  all  old  in  sin, 
and  dead  in  sin :  but  being  prcde  stinated  unto  the  adoption  of  children 
by  Jesus  Christ,  and  to  be  conformed  to  his  image,  to  the  praise  of  the 
glory  of  God's  grace,  therefore  we  shall  be  called  by  a  new  name. 

This  the  Lord,  the  Spirit,  cfFcctcth,  Being  born  of  the  Spirit,  and 
baptized  witli  the  Holy  Ghost  into  the  faith  of  Jesus,  the  Lord  calls 
us  by  a  new.  name,  which  the  moutli  of  the  Lord  shall  name.  This 
is  it,  verse  12,  "  The  Holy  people,  the  redeemed  of  the  Lord,  thou 
shalt  be  called  sought  out."     O  the  blessedness  of  being  sought 

Vol.  T.  B 


14  JANUARY  1. 

out!  how  precious  is  he  who  sought  us  out !  He  sought  us  in  the 
ruins  of  the  full.  He  found  us  in  a  most  miseruble  coudition  ;  but 
he  calls  us  by  a  new  name,  which  signifies  new  creatures  in  our  living 
head,  who  is  the  new  man.  '1  his  he  makes  us.  Then  wc  experi- 
ence the  blessedness  of  a  new  state  in,  and  of  a  new  life  from  Jesus. 
He  is  a  new  and  living  way  to  us.  By  faith  we  walk  with  God — i.ve 
upon  Jesus — feel  sweet  fellowship  with  him — enjoy  comiortiu^-  com- 
muiiion  from  him — und  have  joyful  access  to  the  Fatiier  througii  him. 
Thus  the  Lord  writes  "  a  new  name  upon  his  members,  which  no 
man  knowcth,  saving  he  who  receivctli  it,''  Rev.   ii.    17. 

Thus,  as  Luther  testifies,  <  a  christian  is  a  new  creature  in  a  nevr 
World.'  He  is  a  subject  of  a  new  King,  whose  name  is  love  ;  and  of 
a  new  kingdom,  wherein  dwcUeth  righteousness.  He  is  possessed  of 
new  hopes — new  pleasures—new  desires  and  new  joys.  Yes,  and  he 
finds  new  fears-— new  sorrows — new  conflicts,  yea,  and  new  enemies- 
too.  Though  that  old  serpent  the  Devil  and  Sdtan,  who  deceiveth 
tlic  whole  world,  is  cast  out  of  us,  he  still  wageth  war  against  us. 
What  then  ?  every  tria  we  meet  with,  every  temptation  we  are  beset 
with,  shall  only  glorify  the  riches  of  God's  love  to  us,  and  the  power 
of  the  grace  of  Jesus  in  us — shall  learn  us  the  use  of  our  spiritual 
weapons — deaden  our  affections  to  earth— quicken  our  longings  for 
glory — endear  Jesus  more  to  our  hearts,  so  as  with  ardency  to  cry 
out,  O  that  I  may  be  found  in  him  :  how  glorious  the  privileges  ! 
how  animating  the  prospect  of  all  such  new-named'  souls  !  they  arc 
interested  in  all  new  covenant  blessings.  New  wine  of  gospel-peace 
and  love  is  put  into  such  new  bottles.  A  new  song,  "  Salvation  to 
the  Lunib  that  was  slain,"  inspires  their  tongues.  Such  are  lovmgly 
called,  by  the  word  of  their  Fathei',  and  powerfully  enabled,  by  the 
Spirit  of  his  grace,  to  serve  and  glorify  him,  "  not  in  the  oldness  of 
the  letter,"  but  in  newness  of  the  Spirit,  in  "  righteousness  and  true 
holiness  befoi-e  him  all  the  days  of  their  life  :"  happy  new  year  to  such 
ncv/-numed  souls  !  every  revolving  year  on  earth  brings  them  nearer 
their  Father's  house,  their  Saviour's  kingdom  in  glory.  Thus  "  if 
nny  man  be  in  Christ,  he  is  a  new  creature  ;  old  things  are  passec! 
away,  behold  all  things  are  become  new,"  Cor.  v.  17. 

Mr  .losus,  my  almighty  friend.  My  feet  shall  travel  all  ihe  length 

Wiim?  I  hof>:in  thy  praise,  Of  the  celestial  road, 
■WIktc  will  the  srrowing  niimhcrs  end  !       And  march  with  courage  in  thy  strength. 

The  niimhcrs  of  thy  gi-ace  !  To  see  my  Father  God. 

St:M  has  my  life  new  wonders  seen  When  I  am  fiU'd  w  ith  sore  distress 

Repeated  cv'ry  yer.r  ;  Fcir  some  svn-prising  sin, 

richnld  my  days  tliat  yet  remain  I'll  jjlead  thy  perfect  righteousness 

1  rr-.ist  them  totliy  care.  And  mention  none  but  thine, 

riion  art  mj'cverlasting  trusty  ITow   will  my  lips  in  gloi-y  tell 

Tiiv  l.'c)-Kon  I  ndore  :  .  Thv  vict'ries,  O  my  Kin.,  ! 

\'ul  si'ice  I  knew  thv  p:ra/.  cis  ftrsf.  My  soil  rcdcCin'd  from    sin  sxtai  hell 

I  r;ic-ak  thy  gloilc^  mores  Shall  thr  sidyation  sing. 


JANUARY  2.  15 

Behold  the  I jumh  of  God ^   which  taketh  away  the   sin  of 
the 7i'orld— John  I.    29. 

Nothing  can  ni-ak.  poor  sinners  triily  happy,  but  that  which 
taketh  awi  y  the  cause  of  all  misery,  sin.  Tliis  is  effected,  l  he 
Lamb  of  God  hath  taken  away  all  sin,  by  his  ScXrifice  tor  us.  Wht  n, 
by  the  eye  of  faith,  we  behold  this  Lamb,  then  all  sui  is  taken  aw v,y 
out  of  our  conscience.  When  u  soul  thinks,  'Sin  has  condt  mued  me 
before  God  ;  the  l«w  accuseth  me  daily  ;  it  works  wratli  in  my  con- 
science continu.-lly  ;  and  I  am  oft  ready  to  cry  out,  O  wrtlched 
that  I  am,  who  shall  deliver  me  ?'  Thanks  be  to  God  for  a  prtcums 
Redeemer.  The  Lamb,  which  God  provided,  hath  done-it  for  ever. 
Ail  our  iniquities  were  laid  upon  him.  "  He  bare  it  Hl  his  own  body 
on  the  tree,"  the  sin,  the  whole  of  sin,  every  sin  of  all  that  sliail  be- 
lieve in  him,  to  the  end  of  the  world.  By  the  sacrifice  of  liinibelt  he 
put  all  awuy,  out  of  the  sight  of  God,  as  one  puts  away  an  offensive 
thing.  He  bore  it  away  into  a  land  of  forgetfuhiess,  as  a  tiling  that 
is  hurtful.  So  then  saith  God  the  Fahcr,  to  all  his  chiiaren  in 
Christ,  "  Vour  sins  and  your  iniquities  I  will  remember  no  more," 
Jer.  xxxi.  34. 

But  one  is  often  ready  to  say.  How  can  this  be  true  ?  for  I  daily 
•see  I  am  a  sinner;  the  remcmbrajice  of  sin  is  belore  me,  in  my 
thoughts  ;  though,  for  a  season,  time  may  efiUce  sin  irom  my  memoiy, 
yet  it  recurs  afresh  upon  my  conscience.  It  may,  it  will  do  so,  O 
soul ;  and  nothing  can  effectually  take  it  away  but  this,  "Behold  the 
Lamb  of  God."  He  taketh  away  no^y,  this  present  moment, 
every  moment  :  at  what  time  soever  thou  beholdeat  Jl  sus  by  the  eye 
of  faith,  all  the  sin  which  troubles  thet,  thou  wilt  see  it  laid  on  him, 
and  he  taketh  it  away  from  thee.  O  how  sweet  to  have  no  more 
conscience  of  sin  ! 

Continually  to  behold  this  Lamb  of  God,  is  life  to  our  souls,  and 
death  to  our  sins.  Sin  cannot  terrify  with  its  guilt :  sin  cannot  pre- 
vail in  its  power  while  the  heart  is  looking  to  this  Lamb  of  God,  for 
he  says,  "Look  unto  me,  and  be  saved."  Astonishing  mystery  1  but 
tliis  is  God's  truth.  Thus  to  behold,  is  to  be  happy.  Thus  to  look, 
is  to  be  holy.  -May  this.  O  my  soul,  be  thy  daily  employ  below,  till 
thou  beholdest  tlie  Lamb  in  the  midst  of  the  throne  above.  Tli^nks 
lo  the  gracious  Father,  for  the  gift  of  this  precious  Lumb  ;  tlianks 
to  this  holy  Lamb  for  bearing  and  taking  away  sin  ;  and  thanks  to 
the  loving  Spirit,  for  shewing  this  Lamb  to  poor  sinners  and  me, 
"  God  forbid  I  should  glory,  save  in  the  cross  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,"  Gal.  vi.    14.  ' 

If  sir.  most  vile  to  me  appcirs,  This  is  the  tnith  by  wliich  -no  live  : 

Wliat  must  fh'  Omnisticnt  see  !  By  Faith  bciioldJng  Christ. 

But,  God  beholds  us  in  Ids Umb,  Our  consciences  fiom  guilt  are  iVecU  : 

From.sin  forever  free.  Then  unbelief  i-esitt. 


16  JANUARY  3. 

Little  children^   keep  yourselves  from  idols.     Amen.-^ 
1  John  V.  21. 

Idolatry  is  fouidedin  ignorance  of  Jesus,  the  true  God,  and 
eternal  :'ie.  None  are  spiritual  worsliipcrs  of  God  but  believers  in 
Jesus.  There  are  many  idols  in  the  world,  suited  to  the  pride  and 
lusts  of  our  corrupt  nuture.  Tnese  we  are  cuutioncd  agamst.  But, 
in  reading  this  very  exhortation,  tlie  idol  of  free-will  is  ready  to  pre- 
S(ni  itself;  as  though  disciples,  by  their  own  power,  were  to  keep 
themselves.  This  notion  opposes  the  Spirit  and  power  of  Jesus,  and 
springs  frc'in  that  grand  idol,  pride.  Pride  introduces  the  iaol  of 
seif-rigliteousness.  TJiis  blinds  the  eye  to  the  glory  of  the  righteous- 
ness of  Christ,  freely  imputed  by  God,  through  faith.  Tnus  this 
trinity  of  idols,  free-will,  pride,  tuid  self-righteousness,  are  m  unity 
with  each  other.  By  the  simple  faith  of  Jesus,  we  are  daily  to  guard 
our  heans  against  all  their  specious  pretentions. 

So  also,  every  outward  object  suited  to  our  corrupt  nature,  the  lust 
of  the  flesh,  the  lust  of  the  eye,  and  the  pride  of  life  ;  these  naturally 
call  for  the  attention  of  our  minds,  tend  to  attract  the  affections  of 
our  hearts,  and  promise  us  pleasure,  hi.ppiness,  and  joy.  But  if  these 
are  sought  unto,  coveted,  and  enjoyed,  they  also  become  idols — they 
rival  Jesus  -  they  rob  our  hearts  of  the  consolation  of  the  Saviour's 
love — and  him  of  the  glory  due  to  his  niime  ;  which  is  ever  the  in- 
dispensable duty  of  all  his  beloved  discip.es,  to  give  unto  him  only. 
Shall  we  then  say  of  our  own  righteousness,  or  our  sins,  ye  are  our 
glory  ?  Shall  we  at  all  hope  in  the  one  ?  Shall  we  ever  seek  happiness 
from  the  other  ?  Verily,  if  so,  our  hearts  are  not  right  with  God  :  our 
souls  are  not  sincere  and  upright  with  Jesus.  Can  we  at  any  time 
halt  between  two  opinions  in  our  conduct,  Jesus  and  self^  God  and 
the  world  ?  O  where  then  is  our  faith  in  Jesus,  our  love  to  God  !  Has 
not  God  manifested  love  enough  to  us,  in  -the  gift  of  his  beloved  Son  ? 
Has  not  Jesus  done  enough,  suffered  enough,  to  attract  every  affec- 
tion, and  to  engage  our  whole  hearts  m  love  to  himself  ?  Has  not  the 
holy  Spirit  so  clearly  and  fully  revealed  the  loveof  the  Father,  and 
the  salvation  of  the  Son,  as  to  make  us  happy  ?  We  must  confess 
this.  Surely  then  conscious  shame,  holy  blushing,  godly  sorrow, 
should  fill  our  hearts,  if  we  act  not  as  chaste  virgins  to  our  heavenly 
bridcJ^-room.  While  v/e  cry  in  the  fervency  of  prayer  to  the  divine 
Spirit  for  power,  we  shall  in  the  fervor  of  love,  and  in  the  resolution 
of  faith,  say  with  Ephraim,  "Get  ye  hence:  what  have  I  to  do  any 
more  with  idols  ?"     Hos.  xiv.  8. 

Mortals  with  Joy  bdiold  liis  face,  Arcliangcls  leave  their  liiRh  abo.lc,- 

Th' eternal  Father's  only  Son  :  To  learn  new  mvst'i;ies  here  :  and  tell      - 

:  low  full  of  (ruth  !  how  full  of  jrrace  !  The  loves  of  our  descending  God, 

When  thro' his  eyes  the  Godhead  shone.     The  glories" of  Immanuel. 


JANUARY  4.  17 

/  will  go  in  the  strength  of  the  Lord  God:  1  will  make 
mention  of  thy  righteousness^  even  of  thine  only. -V^-^vm. 
Ixxi.  16. 
Wise  travellers  provide  things  needful  for  their  journey,  and 
guard  against  such  as  lie  in  wuit,  by  tlie  wuy,  to  rob  them.  Our 
gracious  God  calls  not  his  dear  children  to  Ibrsoke  their  native  coun- 
try, to  travel  to  the  hcc^vcnly  city,  without  furnishing  thenx  with  a 
rich  supply  of  all  things  necessary  for  their  cointort,  and  also  strength 
to  protect  tliem  from  the  power  of  every  enemy.  No  soldier  ol  his 
g'octh  a  warfare  at  his  own  charge  ;  Christ  being  both  their  righte- 
ousness and  strength,  they  can  want  notlung  ;  neither  riches  nor 
power.  Hence,  they  go  on  from  day  to  day,  glorying  in  liim,  as 
their  richest  treasure,  and  trusting  in  him  as  their  ^Imii^luy  strength; 
and  this  is  their  constant  song  in  the  house  of  their  pilgrimage,  and 
all  through  their  journey  :  «  Surely,  in  tiie  Lord  have  1  righteous- 
ness and  strength,"  Isa.  xlv.  24.  Jesu's  righteousness  inspires  the 
soul  with  boldness  before  God.  Jesu's  strength  obtains  victory  over 
every  enemy.  This  is  the  triumph  of  faith.  So  uclievers  walk  safciy 
and  comfortably.  ...hildren  of  grace  are  not  called  to  be  idle  specula- 
tists  in  doctrines,  but  to  a  life  of  activity — to  holy  walking  with  Jesus 
-—constant  hearing  of  his  love — cheerlul  obedience  to  his  will — dili- 
gent search  of  the  scriptures — steadfast  resistance  of  Satan— .striving- 
daily  against  sin— and  praying  always  with  all  prayer  Li;d  supplication. 
Well  may  one  ask,  "  But  who  is  suflicient  for  these  things.'"  From 
natural  power  and  inherent  strengtli,  we  must  all  sit  d(;wn  in  despair. 
But  faith  leads  from  self  to  Jesus.  I  ciui  do  ail  things,  through  ^.hrist 
strengthening  me  ;  so  will  I  go  on  against  my  enemies  ;  thus  1  shall 
be  enabled  to  walk  in  tlie  path  of  every  duty.  But  after  I  have  done 
all,  still  my  Saviour  bids  me  confess  the  truth,  that  1  am  an  unprofit- 
able servant.  But  is  not  this  discouraging  to  the  soul  ?  No  ;  for  it 
•works  not  to  obtain  righteousness.  It  is  already  cloUicd  with  tliat, 
and,  in  the  views  of  faith,  rejoices  in  it ;  abjures  all  other,  and  will 
make  mention  of  Jesu's  righteousness,  and  his  onhj^  for  acceptance 
with  God,  perfect  justification  before  him,  from  every  condemnation 
of  the  law,  and  accusation  of  Satan.  True,  doubtfid  fears  may  arise  ; 
distressing  thoughts  deject ;  but  happy  is  our  conduct,  joyful  shall 
be  our  experience,  while  tlie  righteousness  of  Christ  is  beheld  by 
faith,  as  our  only  hope,  our  only  joy,  our  only  crown  of  rejoicing.  For 
we  are  made  the  righteousness  of  God  in  Chrint^  2  Cor.  v.  21. 

While  in  thy  riijilueousness  I  trust,  My  grace  and  safety  lie  in  this, 

Wliich  only  makes  a  sinner  just :  My  Creditor   my  surety  is, 

This  truth  of  faith,  Loitl,  make  me  prove,  The  jii(I,E:mcnt-<lay  I  dread  the  less  : 
That  faith  thou  giv'st,  which  Morks  by  My  Judgcismadciny  righteousnc-s. 
love. 


IS  JANUARY  5. 

For  the  mnimtams  shall  depart  and  the  hills  be  removed^ 
but  my  kindness  shall  not  depart  from  thee,  neither  shall 
^  the  covejiant  of  my  peace  be  removed,    saith  the  Lord, 
-who  hath  mercy  on  thee. — Isa.  liv.    10. 

The  absolute  promises  of  our  gracious  Lord,  are  the  foundation 
offiiith,  the  encouragement  of  hope,  tlie  excitement  of  love,  the  source 
of  comfort,  and' the  spring  of  true  holiness.  Why  then  are  not  tlic 
childi-en  of  fuith  always  joyful  in  hope,  ever  comfortable  in  love,  and 
constantly  hrppy  in  the  way  of  holiness  ?  Truly,  because  an  enemy 
hath  sown  the  tares  of  unbelief  in  our  nature.  '1  his  evil  root  of  bit- 
terness continually  spi'ings  up,  and  troubles  us.  It  bears  the  most 
base,  dishonourable  fruits,  I'espccting  our  God  ;  and  is  most  hurtful 
and  poisonous  to  our  souls.  Little  reason  have  we  to  dung  and  water, 
so  as  to  strengthen  this  degenerate  plant,  with  the  corrupt  notion  of 
those  who  deny  God's  covenant  love  and  fiiithfulness,  and  dare  tcuch 
^  That  one  may  be  a  child  of  God  to-day  and  a  child  of  the  Devil  to- 
morrow— .that  souls  redeemed  by  the  blood  of  Jesus,  m.ay,  after  all, 
burn  in  hell.'  Shocking  !  it  is  our  daily  duty,  our  greatest  wisdom, 
ever  to  be  on  our  guard  against,  and  avoid  all  such  doctrines.  They 
are  contrary  to  the  precious  declarations  of  our  loving  Lord ;  and 
tend  to  weaken  our  fiuth  in  and  hope  of  perfect  salvation  by  Jesus. 
But  a  false  show  of  humility  v.-orks  very  deceitfully  upon  men. 
Hence  we  are  prone  to  look  into  ourselves,  to  find  some  inherent 
worth,  some  personal  goodness,  as  the  cause  whij  the  Lord  should 
deal  thus  bounteously  with  us. 

Alas  !  pride  is  at  the  bottom  of  this.  Hereby  our  eyes  arc  diverted 
from  the  alone  object  oi^ith,  Jesus,  and  turned  to  self.  'Ihen,  na 
marvel  unbelief  prevails,  and  we  lose  sight  of  God's  free  grace, 
rich  love,  and  inestimably  precious  promises.  Soul,  know  thyself. 
Though  an  object  of  mercy,  a  subject  of  grace,  and  an  heir  of  pro- 
mise, yet  not  one  single  drop  of  mercy,  or  of  grace,  nor  one  word  of 
promise  is  made  to  thy  person,  but  only  as  thou  standest  in,  and  art 
related  io  thy  precious  Saviour,  according  to  covenant  love.  There- 
fore God's  covenant  of  peace  shall  not,  cannot  fail.  Sooner  shall  the 
hills  and  mountains  be  removed,  yea  heaven  and  earth  shall  pass 
away,  but  thy  Lord's  love  and' kindness  shall  never  depart  from  thee. 
TheSnouth  of  the  Lord  hath  spoken  it.  Here  to  doubt,  is  to  dishonor 
the  God  of  truth.  Here  stedfastly  to  believe,  is  to  glorify  the  God 
of  love — «  He  sent  redemption  unto  his  people  ;  he  hath  comnumdcd 
his  covenant/or  iv^-r,"  Psalm  c^ix.i). 

"  O  \vl;;it  a  sU^dfnst  lio^.c  have  I,  Then  wliy  should  faith  or  courRgc  fiill" 
IJu'lf  on'thy  faithful  uoi-fl  !  Or  comforts  me  forsake  ) 

Tho'  ail  Uii„_t;s  fail  hene.tth  the  skr,  trt  f:..ith  htit. look  within  the  vcii. 
Thy  ti-uth  stands  fast,  ir^y  Uul.-'  ATJ"^-  snftVor  Jdja^  i^lic . 


JANUARY  6.  19 

JFalk  exrciimapectly  ;  not  as  fools,  hut  as  wise,  redeeming 
the  time,  because  the  days  are  evil. — i:.piic  .  v.  i6,  io. 

Light  and  life  are  communicated  from  Jesus  to  his  members,  not 
merely  to  fill  their  heads  with  gospel  truths,  as  matters  ot  specu- 
lation, or  to  make  them  fiuent  talkers  about  religion,  but  claclly  to 
affect  their  heiats,  renew  their  minds,  and  cause  tlnem  to  be  close, 
consistent,  ivalkcrs^  with  Jesus.  Without  this,  wc  only  seem  to  be 
religious,  and  deceive  our  hearts,  while  our  religion  is  vaui :  for  we 
Ciinnot  stand  approved  in  the -sight  of  God,  before  men,  nor  to  our 
own  consciences.  "  The  wise  man's  eyes  arc  in  his  head  ;"  he  looks 
around  him  and  sees  the  evil  of  sin,  the  vanity  of  this  present  worid 
— that  its  gay  pleasures,  alluring  pastimes,  bewitching  diversions, 
are  the  gilded  bait  of  the  god  of  this  world,  whereby  he  ensnares 
unwary  fools  to  kill  their  precious  time,  aiid  to  blind  and  destroy  tlieir 
immortal  souls  !  The  wise  man  looks  above  him — directs  his  eye  of 
faith  to  his  Saviour,  as  his  example — to  have  his  Spirit  lor  his  guide 
— to  be  kept  by  his  power— to  have  his  steps  directed  by  his  grace, 
that  his  word  may  be  the  rule  of  his  life,  and  that  his  walk  and  con- 
versation may  please  his  Lord,  iind  adorn  his  gospel.  Without  this 
constant  circumspection,  we  beti'ay  the  greatest  foily,  and  make  sad 
work  for  future  grief  and  rei^entance.     Lord  keep  us  from  this  ! 

Time  is  the  gift  of  God.  It  is  too  precious  a  jewel  to  be  worse 
than  idly  lavished  away  upon  vanity.  It  is  tlie  wisdom  of  the  wise  to 
improve  time  to  the  noblest  and  best  of  purposes,  in  acquiring  more 
knowledge  of  spiritual  and  eternal  things.  It  is  the  iooiishness  of 
folly  for  God's  wise  virgins,  at  any  timc,^so  to  debase  tlaemseives,  tis 
to  sacrifice  their  precious  moments  upon  hi|athciiish  altars,  devoted 
to  vain  delights  ar.d  sinful  pleasures  We  dare  not,  wc  cannot  com- 
ply with  these  things,  consistent  with  faith  in  Jesus,  leve  to  God, 
and  a  good  conscience  in  the  Holy  Ghost.' 

The  days  are  evil  ;  iniquity  abounds ;  the  love  of  many  waxctl'v 
eold  ;  heresies  prevail ;  the  way  of  holiness  is  awiully  ricglected  ; 
but  the  Lord's  arm  is  not  shortened,  that  he  cannot  .save  :  he  can 
keep  us  close  to  himself,  in  the  most  perilous  times.  Constant 
watchfulness,  and  earnest  prayer,  are  our  daily  duty — "  Let  us  con- 
sider one  another,  to  provoke  unto  love  and  to  good  works  ;  not 
forsaking  the  assembling  ourselves  together,  as  tlie  manner  of  some 
is  ;  but  exhort  one  another ;  and  so  much  the  more,  as  yc  see  die 
day  approaching,"  Hcb.  x.  24,  25. 

Fmm  precious  faitJi  a  precious  strife  WhcrcTer  f;uth  docs  justify. 

Of  precious  virtues  flow.  It  purifies  f  lie  heart ; 

V  precious  lieart,  a  precious  Jj/e,  TLe  paiddii  nnd  tlic  purity 

Vad  prccions  dntic3  too.  i<^  h^fyls,  and  ncrer  pai-t: 


20    w  JANUARY  7. 

Blessed  is  the  people  that  know  the  joyful  sound;  they 
shall  walk,  O  Lord,  in  the  light  of  thy  countenance.-^ 
Pbalm  Ixxxix. — 15. 
The  psalmist  alludes  to  tlie  jubilee -trumpet,  which  was  sounded 
throughout  the  land  on  the  great  day  of  atonement.  This  was  an  or- 
dini'.nce  of  the  Lord,  Lev  xxv.  10.  It  was  a  joyful  sound  of  liberty 
to  God's  people.  A  true  type,  and  just  emblem  this,  of  the  blow- 
ing the  great  trumpet,  and  the  sound  of  the  everlasting  gospel  re- 
storing life,  liberty,  and  salvation,  to  perishing  captive  souls.  Has 
the  gospel  thus  proved  the  power  of  God  to  the  salvation  of  our  souls? 
Surely  then,  we  must  esteem  it,  as  the  most  joyful  sound  that  ever 
saluted  our  ears  !  Joyful,  that  it  is  not  clogged  with  any  terms  and 
conditions  :  Joyful,  that  it  is  not,  as  some  call  it,  a  milder  law,  pro- 
posing mercy  on  easier  performances  tlian  the  legal  yoke.  No ; 
such  notions  are  subversive  of  the  very  nature  of  the  gospel ;  they 
only  humor  self-confidenee,  and  elate  the  pride  of  sinners. 

We  are  all  naturally  deceived  by  such  human,  anti-evangelical 
systems.  Hence  we  grow  vain  in  our  imaginations,  and  our  foolish 
hearts  are  darkened  to  the  freeness  and  glory  of  the  gospel.  But 
when  the  Sun  of  Righteousness  arises  upon  the  heart,  these  mists 
of  ignorance  and  error  are  scattered.  Then  we  truly  know  the  gos- 
pel to  be  nothing  but  good  news,  glad  tidings,  a  joyful  sound  indeed: 
a  free  declaration  of  what  the  infinitely  blessed  and  eternally  glori- 
ous Trinity  have  planned,  and  what  the  adorable  God-man  hath  ef- 
fected, for  the  salvation  of  the  lost  and  guilty.  It  is  one  joyful,  con- 
sistent, harmonious  sound  of  free  grace,  undeserved  love,  and  un- 
merited mercy  ;  free  from  any  jarring  discords  of  wrath  ajid  terror. 
It  proclaims  not  pardon  to-day,  and  condemnation  to-morrow  to  be- 
lievers ;  now  peace  with  God,  anon  war  against  us  ;  now  happiness 
in  the  heaven  of  his  love,  by  and  by  a  hell  of  misery  from  his  anger 
and  hatred  ;  once  justified  by  his  grace,  and  after  all  left  to  perish  to 
eternity  in  our  sins.  God's  blessed  people  reject  such  debasing  no- 
tions, knowing  they  are  contrary  to  the  truth,  and  destructive  oi  the 
joy  of  the  gospel,  damp  their  love,  deaden  their  aflections  to  a  God 
of  love,  cool  their  zeal  for  his  glory  and  service,  and  stop  their  pro- 
gress in  true  holiness.  But  by  the  love  of  the  truth,  they  solace 
themselves  with  the  joyful  sound,  are  enabled  to  walk  in  the  light  of 
God's  countenance,  in  the  comforts  of  his  love,  and  in  the  joys  of 
Tesu's  salvation.  Such  are  blessed  now  in  the  knowledge  of  God's 
ruth  ;  they  shall  be  blessed  in  the  enjoyment  of  God's  eternal  glory, 
John  X.  18. 

O  blessed  clay  !  O  linppy  liour  !  .0  Spirit  divine  !  thine  was  the  pow'r. 

That  brought  this  jo.vful  sound,  AVhich  gave  the  hearing  ear  : 

Of  piiifl'ninglove  tliro' Christ's  rich  grace.  My  lieart,  with  love,  in  praises  join, 
To  heal  my  mortal  v  ound.  To  thee,  my  Lord,  most  dear.        SI- 


JANUARY  8.  21 

Because  thy  loving  k'mchiess  is  better  tlian  lifc^  my  lips 
slmll praise  thee. — Psalm  Ixiii.  3. 

Forsake  all,  cmd  possess  all.  Give  up  all,  and  enjoy  all-  This  is 
Uic  doctrine  of  Jesus,  and  the  experience  of  faitli.  So  we  overcome 
the  world,  by  preferring  tlic  love  of  Christ  to  every  thing-  beside.  Most 
blessed  enthusiasm  !  really  tasting  lliat  the  Lord  is  gracious — truly 
teeling  tlie  comforts  of  his  love — actually  partaking  of  fellowship 
with  Jesus — communion  of  the  Holy  Spirit — freely  conversing  with 
the  Fiithci'  of  all  consolations — O  how  transporting  to  the  Spirit ! 
how  ravishing  to  the  soul  !  With  what  holy  iudifiercnce.  does  the  en- 
rupturcd  heai't  look  down  upon  the  objects  of  sense !  The  gilded  toys 
of  time,  that  so  attract  the  views — the  glittering  vanities  of  life,  that 
so  enslave  earthly  minds^ — .the  empty  shadows  of  sense,  tliat  so  be- 
witch the  heart ;  yea,  life  itself,  with  all  its  comforts,  What  are  all, 
compared  to  one  moment's  enjoyment  of  the  loving-kindness  of  the 
Lord  !  In  competition,  as  shadow  to  substance  ;  in  worth,  as  the  dust 
of  the  earth  to  tlie  gold  of  Ophir.  Sense  is  but  short-lived  fancy: 
Fcdth  is  reality  and  substance  ;  for  it  brings  love,  the  kindness  of 
love,  yea,  the  God  of  loving  kindness  hmiseif  into  the  sinner's  heart. 
This  changeth  a  fallen  son  of  Adam  into  a  glorious  saint  in  Christ; 
a  miserable  sinner  into  a  comfortable,  holy,  humble  praiser  of  our 
covenant  Lord. 

Thus  it  is  when  the  soul  hatli  found  God  in  Christ,  who  is  its  life, 
its  glory,  its  treasure,  its  heaven,  its  all.  But  this  knowledge  con- 
sists, not  only  in  ecstacy  of  soul  and  rapturous  sensations,  but  faith 
is  ail  habitual  principle  ;  love  is  an  active  grace  ;  hope  has  a  purify- 
ing f^fficacy.  Not  only  are  the  lips  opened  in  praise,  the  tongufc 
loosed,  to  speak  of  the  glory  of  Jesus,  but  the  life,  the  practice,  tlio 
conversation,  will  also  be  favoured  with  the  grace  of  truth,  as  ail 
evidence  that  we  know  his  love,  and  have  been  with  Jesus.  So  we 
prove  that  he  has  taught  us  wisdom,  not  to  prefer  heaven  to  earth 
in  word  only,  but  in  conduct  also.  Therefore,  having  received  all 
from  him  freely,  in  love  and  by  grace,  we  desire  to  do  what  he  has 
commanded  ;  to  avoid  what  he  hrs  forbidden.  The  fruits  of  righte- 
ousness are  by  him,  to  the  glory  of  God  the  Father ;  tlierefore  we 
pray  to  be  filled  with  them  The  works  of  the  flesh,  the  works  of. 
darkness,  we  desire  to  mortify,  and  have  no  fellowship  with,  because 
contrary  to  love,  and  the  enjoyment  of  it — "  We  have  known  and 
believed  tlie  love  tliat  God  hath  to  us.  God  is  love  ;  and  he  tliat 
dwcllcth  in  love  dwelleth  in  God,  iind  God  in  him,"  1  John  iv.  IG. 

Of  nil  tlicjoys  we  morfals  know.  Sweet  are  iny  thoughts  and  soft  my  care*, 

•Tcsiis,  tliy  love  exceeds  the  rest :  When  tlie  celestial  flame  I  f(;cl : 

Love,  the  hlest  blessing  here  below,  In  all  my  thoughts,  and  all  my  fears. 

And  nearest  image  of  (lie  West.  There's  sgmc^lwg  kind  amd  picasrng  sliH. 

V  OL.  I.  C 


22  JANUARY  9. 

Godliness  is  prof  table  unto  all  things,  having  promisor  of 
the  life  that  now  is,  and  of  that  which  ii  to  come,--* 
1  Tiai.  iv.  8. 

While  under  the  law,  we  naturally  think,  for  so  much  work,  so 
tnuch  Wages — God  Mill  be  faithful  to  his  word  of  promise,  if  wc 
peiform  those  terms  «nd  conditions  he  requires  of  us.  Such  are  the 
notions  of  a  legal  spirit — they  are  the  result  of  pride— they  swell  with 
a  vain  conceit  of  doing  sonittliing  to  mtke  God  a  debtor  to  our 
works  ;  they  are  founded  in  ignorance,  both  of  ourselves,  and  of  tlie 
word  of  God's  rich  gruce  and  free  promises  ;  not  one  of  which  is 
made,  absolutely,  in  respect  to  us,  or  to  any  thuig  we  either  believe 
or  do ;  but  only  as  we  are  in  Christ  Jesus,  members  of  him,  our 
blessed  head — For  "  a// the  promises  of  God  are  in  Christ  Jesu*' 
yea  and  amen,  unto  the  glory  of  God."  w  Coc.  i.  30. 

Every  believer  in  Christ  is  a  holy,  godiy  soul ;  he  is  exhorted  t» 
be  strong  in  the  grace  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus.  He  hus  uU  cause 
for  dcaiy  comfort  and  joy.  He  is  fully  assured  of  his  interest  in  that 
blessed  cutidogue  of  mercies,  "  nunisters,  the  world,  life,  death, 
things  present,  or  things  to  come,  all  are  yours."  Why  ?  where- 
fore has  he  property  herein  ?  "  Because  ye  are  Christ's,  and  Christ 
is  God's,"  1  Cor.  iii.  i22,  23 — therefore  he  shall  WcUit  nothing ;  he 
shall  enjoy  every  thing  he  cai  will,  or  desire,  as  a  godly  person  : 
for  true  holiness  is  profit.ble  to  bring  the.  will  into  cheerful  acquies- 
cence with  the  will  of  God,  and  to  enable  the  soul  to  say,  "  Thy 
Will  be  done."  All  the  blessings  of  hiovidencc,  all  the  riches  of 
|-race,  all  the  glories  of  eternity,  are  secured  by  Jehovali's  promise 
to  the  godly  in  Christ. 

Through  the  faith  of  Jesus,  godly  souls  are  profitable  to  tlieir 
ffellow-sinners,  and  felloAv-members  in  him  :  Their  good  conver- 
sation, their  holy  walk,  the  Lord  owns  and  blesses,  to  win  others  to 
the  knowledge  and  love  of  God,  to  a  h..tred  of  shi,  to  rcr.ouncc  tlic 
vanities  of  the  world,  and  quit  the  sK.very  of  Satan. 

Oh,  christian,  remember  thy  cidling-^be  careful  of  thy  walk— 
■iratchful  over  thy  conduct— see  to  it,  lest  Jesus  be  wounded  in  the 
house,  of  his  friends..  Pray  earnestly,  and  study  daily  that  thy  pro- 
ftting  in  godliness  may  appear  to  all.  to  the  glory  of  him  "  who  hath 
lovfed  us,  and  washed  us  from  our  sins  in  his  own  blood."  Are  you 
ambitious  ?  are  you  covetous  ?  do  you  love  gain  ?  are  you  earnestly 
desirous  to  enjoy  it  ?  Hear,  believe,  and  rejoice.  ♦'  GouUucss  with 
contentment  is  great  gain  ?"   1  Tim.  vi.  6. 

O  mr  Lord,  how  strange  the  gra«e  K">*'  the  proiniRc  is  en  j«vM, 

■Wliii-h  ifn^jo-Mv  godly  m.ikos  !  Hope  of  grcatci-  isemiiloyM  : 

J  h:iTi'  fonnil  (1ms  matter  truc,  All  is  mine  b_v  gift  of  ijrace  : 

^  .he  giorj  is  tfe' dac.  I^iUkeMfi'lwjto  sue  tbj  lace    M". 


JANUARY  la  fS 

To  the  praise  of  the  glory  of  his  grace,  wherein  he  hath 
made  us  accepted  in  the  hAoved- — iL-phts.  i.  6. 
When  J^cob  w..s  ubout  to  meet  liis  oftVnded  brotlicr  Esau,  he 
vras  greatly  ufruid  and  distressed.  He  sends  u  present  to  uppe^sc  Ids 
>v  rath  before  he  duist  venture  into  his  presence.  «  Perudventure  he 
will  accept  of  me,"  says  he.  Gen.  xxxii.  20.  Now  Ills  hope  was  not 
founded  on  the  affections  of  his  brother,  bu<.  upon  the  favour  which  his 
prt-sent  should  procure.  He  was  not  influenced  by  love,  but  fcar  uiid 
terror  ;  hence  his  expectation  arose  only  to  a  porad venture.  So  it  is 
natural  for  sinners  to  conceive  of  lUi  act  to  in  oficnclcd  God.  Insiead 
of  believing  his  gospel  of  free  grace,  and  confiiling  in  his  messagt  s  of 
rich  mercy  in  Christ,  we  are  prone  to  think  of  sending  presents,  of 
'  doing  something  to  pi.cify  God's  wrath,  and  conciii.'.te  his  love  to  us. 
Some  terms  of  accommodation,  some  conditions  of  peace,  we  nutuiailf 
think,  and  we  hear  many  contend  for,  must  be  filled  by  us.  Thi» 
notion  keeps  tlie  soul  always  in  suspense.  It  may  flatter  it  with  a 
perudventure,  God  will  accept  me  ;  but  there  is  not  the  least  ground 
for  hope  of  acceptance  upon  a  human  system.  It  springs  from  the 
corrupt  reasonings  of  man,  is  founded  in  the  pride  of  nature,  which 
ever  rejects  the  fiath  of  the  gospel. 

H  ppy  for  us,  to  "hear  what  God  the  Lord  will  speak  :  for  he  will 
si^eak  peace  to  his  people,  and  to  his  saints,"  Psalm  Ixxxv.  8, — iiOt 
because  of  their  prayers,  tears,  repentance,  faith  or  obedience  ;  but, 
for  an  infinitely  higher  cause  than  all  these,  even  because  he  loved 
them,  and  hath  made  them  accepted  hi  his  beloved  Son,  Jesus.  Here 
are  no  legal  Ifs  and  Peradventures  ;  but  the  certainty  and  assurance, 
of  free  love  and  unmerited  favor-  This  is  the  most  blessed,  stedfast 
anchor-hold  of  faith.  Its  laJiguage  is  not.  What  shall  I  do  to  be  ac- 
cepted ?  but.  How  shall  I  please  my  God,  who  hath  made  me  accepted 
in  the  beloved  ?  In  this  w.y  only,  God  secures  all  the  prcJse  and  glory 
of  his  own  grace  to  himself.  The  belief  of  this  expands  the  heart 
with  love,  fires  the  soul  with  gratitude,  excites  to  praise,  and  influ- 
ences to  all  true  holiness.  Hell  may  terrify  with  horror,  the  law 
work  wrath  in  the  conscience,  a  sight  of  sin  cause  us  to  tremble  be- 
fore God  ;  but  grace,  the  free  unmerited  favor  of  God  hi  Christ  Je- 
sus, that  alone  changes  rebels  to  saints,  subdues  sin,  mortifies  lusis, 
triumphs  over  all  the  curse  and  ruin  of  the  Lll,  and  raises  its  happy 
■subjects  to  the  exalted  heights  of  s.Avation  and  glory.  H^ppy  those, 
V/ho  know  and  believe  "  Grace  reigns  through  the  righteousness  of 
Christ  unto  eternal  life,"  Rom.  v.  3 1 . 

[case, 
Content  to  be  in  Jesu's  debt  for  all ;  Freed  from  law-debt,  and  blest  vitb  f^nspel 

At  sovereign  grace'o  feet  we  prostrate  fall,  Our  work  is  now  our  dearest  Lord  to  pleas* 
All  glory  to  tbe  Lord  tbat  grace  is  free.      By  living  on  him,  as  our  ample  stock, 
Else  ntTcr  would  it  light  o*  guilty  jja*.        And  kkning  oj;i  him  as  our  potent  r»«.'b 


24  JANUARY  11. 

Jesus  said,   Ye  know  not  what  ye  ask. — Mark.  x.  38. 

Strange  !  what,  James  and  John,  two  disciples  of  a  despised  and 
rejected  Master,  who  had  not  wiiere  to  lay  his  head,  yet  dreaming  of 
earthly  pomp  and  worldly  grandeur,  aiid  petitioning  lor  the  highest 
pitch  of  worldly  glory  ?  yes,  nothing  less  than  the  right  hand  of  pre- 
eminence, and  the  left  hand  of  power,  would  suit  tliem.  Human  na- 
ture, how  earthly,  carnal,  and  selfish  !  How  low  are  we  fallen  !  yet 
how  lofty  in  pride  I  What  are  the  best  of  men,  when  left  to  their  own 
spirits  ?  Truly,  we  know  not  what  to  pray  for,  as  we  ought.  Jesus, 
Master,  instruct  us,  what  we  are  called  to  I  Teach  us  Avhat  to  pray 
for.  Let  thy  word,  "  My  kingdom  is  not  of  this  world,"  be  ever 
uppeiTTiost  in  our  minds  ! 

Poor  Baruch  could  not  be  honored  of  God,  and  commissioned  to 
read  the  roll  to  the  princes  of  Judah,  but  he  tliinks,  now  I  am  some- 
body ;  I  have  got  in  the  way  of  earthly  honor  and  preferment.  But 
his  brother  Jeremiah  is  sent  to  him,  with  this  question  and  reproof, 
"  Seekest  thou  great  things  for  thyself?  seek  them  not,"  Jer.  xvi.  5. 
How  many  distresses  were  brought  upon  the  children  of  Israel  by  the 
mixed  multitude  that  went  with  them  !  So  the  swarms  of  corrupt 
lust,  earthly  affections,  and  carnal  desires,  which  are  found  with  us, 
are  ever  opposing  the  glory  of  Jesus,  and  exciting  us  to  seek  that 
happiness,  in  nature  and  sense,  which  can  only  be  found  in  tlie  spirit- 
ual reign  of  Jesus,  in  the  heart.    , 

But  so  kind  and  gracious  is  our  dear  Saviour,  that  he  crosses  our 
wills,  and  denies  our  request,  when  contrary  to  our  spiritual  mterest. 
Thus  in  love  he  answers  our  prayers  :  he  withholds  what  we  ask  ;  he 
gives  what  he  knows  is  best  for  us.  If  discij-ies  ask  what  is  unfit  to 
receive,  or  unlawful  to  beg,  shall  we  complain  of  God's  love  if  he  de- 
xiies  ?  Gi-anting  is  not  always  the  effect  of  love.  If  so,  Paul  had  been 
less  loved  than  Satan.  Satan  asked  but  oiuce  concerning  Job,  and  his 
request  was  granted.  Paul  besought  the  Lord  thrice,  that  thomes- 
sengers-of  Satan  might  depart,  yet  was  denied  in  that.  Yea,  blessed 
Jesus  thrice  prayed  his  Father  that  the  cup  might  pass  from  him; 
but  that  could  not  be.  The  Lord  delights  in  the  prosperity  of  his 
people,  therefore  withholdsno  good  thing  from  them.  Not  our  judg- 
ment, but  his  wisdom  must  determine  this.  We  pray  to  be  in  the 
hcightvjf  comfort,  and  on  the  pinnacle  of  joy.  But  love  answers  by 
keeping  us  in  the  safe  vale  of  humility  and  self-abasement.  Lord, 
what  prcud,  aspiring  creatures  are  we  !  enable  us  to  obey  thee  I 
"  Humble  yourselves  under  the  mighty^hand  of  God,"   1  Pet.  v.  6. 

.'  lu  liL-ard,  when  answer'd  soon  or  late  Peace  tlien  my  soul,  for  Christ  knows  best, 

Andheiinl,  v^ien  I  no  answer  get :  TJlhci- togivc  or  to  withl'iold  : 

Yea,  kindly  an^vcr'd  vhcn  rcfus'd  ;  On  him  still  wait,  on  his  word  rest, 

By  i<:m%  lov'd,  v  Leu  harshly  u:;'d.  Against  thy  fe.irs  be  Erm  and  bold     M. 


JANUARY    12.  25 

The  Lord  God  is  imj  strength,  and  he  will  make  my  feet 
like  hinds  feet,  and  he  will  make  me  to  walk  upon  mine 
high  places. — Heb.  iii.  19. 

"  The  righteous  are  as  bold  as  a  lion." — Prov.  xxviii.  I.  The 
words  of  wisdom  are  not  like  the  pithy  sayings  of  tlie  Heathens, 
which  merely  describe  states  and  things  to  which  men  never  arrive 
nor  enjov  ;  but  they  assure  us,  such  and  such  has  been,  and  still  is 
the  knowledge  and  experience  of  God's  sidnts.  So  children  of  wis- 
dom are  taught  their  privileges,  and  their  souls  are  drawn  out  iii 
prayer  and  diligence,  that  they  may  also  partake  of  tiie  fulness  of 
the  blessings  described.  Whence  is  the  boldness  and  courage  of  tlie 
righteous  derived  ?  See  the  young  stripling  David,  how  boldly  he 
advcuices  to  tlie  mighty  gii.nt  Goliah,  witli  an  insignificant  wei.pon  in 
his  hand,  yet  assured  of  success.  For  the  faith  of  Or/mipotence  was 
in  his  heart,  and  these  soul-encouraging  words  in  his  mouth,  •'  1  come 
to  thee  in  the  mane  of  the  Lord  of  hosts,"    1  Sam.  xvii.  45. 

Faith  receives  all  its  courage  and  strength  from  its  author,  Jesus. 
It  is  armed  witli  Opanipotencc  ;  tlicrefore  he  saith,  "  All  things  arc 
possible  to  him  who  believeth,"  Mark  ix.  23.  So  Paul,  "  I  can  do 
all  things."  Why  ?  because  he  was  a  great  apostle  ?  No  :  prophets 
and  ctpostles  are  all  of  one  mind,  even  with  the  weakest  believer:  "It 
is  Christ  who  strengthens  me."  «  The  Lord  God  is  my  strength." 
Arc  our  hearts  weak  and  low,  ready  to  sink  and  faint  ?  arc  our  graces 
upon  the  decline  ?  are  our  enemies  strong,  and  our  troubles  increas- 
ed ?  To  whom  should  we  fly,  but  to  our  almighty  God  and  Saviour, 
Jesus?  For  this  very  end  he  makes  his  dear  members  '•'feet  like 
hinds  feet :"  swift  to  run  from  danger,  and  to  fly  to  him  for  safely  : 
so  also  «  to  run  the  way  of  his  commandments  with  great  delight." 

Such  happy  souls  shall  also  walk  with  composure  and  comfort  upon 
the  high  places  of  safety  and  security  ;  above  tiic  reach  of  their  in;- 
placable  foes.  O,  those  are  sweet  seasons,  when  we  mount  up  with 
wings  as  eagles  ;  soar  aloft  it  the  exercise  of  faith;  dwell  high  in 
the  contemplation  of  love  ;  converse  much  witli  Jc-sur,  in  glory, 
though  on  earth  in  the  body.  How  safe  are  the  people  of  God  !  how 
joyful  should  they  be  in  faith  !  how  confident  in  hope  !  howfer.vcnt 
iu  love  I  "  For  they  shall  dwell  on  high  ;  their  d<  fence  shall  be  the 
munition  of  rocks  ;  their  bread  shall  be  given  them,  and  their  w^aters- 
shall  be  sure,"   Isa.  xxxiii.  16. 

Salvation  is  for  ever  nigh  And  grace  desccniling  from  on  Iilu;h, 

Tlic  souls  tUat  fear  and  tvnst  the  Lord,      Fresli  tnitli  rind  {{lory,  shuil  afford. 


m  JANUAT^Y   15. 

Izuill  hear  the  indignation  of  the  Lord,  because  I  have 
sinned  against  him.  until  he  plead  my  cause  and  execute 
judgment  for  me :  he  ivill  bring  me  forth  to  the  lights 
and  I  shall  behold  his  righteousness — Micah  vii.  9. 

Sin,  thout^h  atoned  for  by  the  blood  of  Jesus,  und  through  the 
faith  of  this  the  soul  be  made  holy  and  huppy,  yet  dwelleth  ia  us. 
Hence  all  our  griefs,  our  sufferings,  our  wretchedness.  God's  judg- 
ments are  sometimes  secret,  alwc.ys  just,  ever  in  love  to  his  own. 
Misery  should  never  afilict  us,  if  sin  did  not  infect  us.  A  good  in- 
strument may  be  out  of  tune  ;  the  hand  of  a  skilful  musician  is  ne- 
cessary to  set  it,  and  display  its  harmony  and  sound.  God  disci- 
plines by  afflictions  for  our  profit  and  his  glory.  The  Ldth,  pa- 
tience, and  valor  of  God's  soldiers  are  best  known  in  times  of  exer- 
cise :  then  how  animating  to  viev/  the  love  and  trust  to  the  fcdtliful- 
ness  of  a  covenant  God  !  To  see  a  father's  love  to  the  soul  in  tlic 
ixid  of  his  displeasure  against  sin,  how  supporting  !  1  will  bear  the 
G^i.tstisements  of  my  Father — my  sins  deserve  them  :  yea  wrath 
and  hell  is  my  desert :  my  mouth  is  stopped — I  have  nothing  to 
plead — guilt  silences  me. 

But  see,  hear,  and  rejoice,  O  soul.  The  church  beholds  a  blessed 
person.  Who  is  that  he  she  thhiks  upon  and  mentions  ?  "  Until 
he  plead  my  cause."  O  it  is  the  dear  advocate  Jesus,  the  ever  pre- 
cious pleader  for  poor  sinners.  How  reviving  are'  the  sacred  pages  ! 
they  ever  testify  of  the  blessed  name,  and  soul-comioriing  work  of 
Jesus  1  He  never  intermits  in  his  plea  for  the  life  of  the  soul  :•  he 
prevails  over  the  desert  of  sin  by  his  atonement  and  prayers.  Shortly 
he  will  speak  destruction  to  all  sin  by  the  word  of  his  power. 

In  the  mean  time  he  sends  his  Spirit  the  Comforter,  the  third  per- 
son in  the  glorious  Trinity.  "  He  will  bring  me  forth  to  the  iiglu." 
Here  see  Old  Testament  faith  in  New  Testament  love.  It  is  the 
Spirit's  office  to  bring  souls  out  of  the  dark  dungeon  of  nature's  sor- 
rows, to  see  Jesus  the  light  of  life.  "  I.  sliall  behold  his  righteous- 
ness." Then  it  is  a  day  of  comfort  after  a  night  of  distress  Is  the 
righteousness  of  Jesus  mine  ?  am  I  righteous  by  that  in  the  sight  of 
God?  Then  truly  it -is  in  righteousness  God  deivleth  with  me,  luid 
will^Siive  me.  Tlvis  fcjth  humbles  the  soul  to  the  dust,  strips  it  of 
proud  murniurings  and  self-righteous  pleas,  and  inspires  it  wilh 
boldness  at  a  throne  of  grace.  Tiiis  is  the  conlident  pica  of  faith  ; 
«  for  thy  righteousness  sake  bring  my  soul  out  of  trouble  :  Destroy 
vli  them  that  iJHict  niy  floiii,  for  I  -&in  thy  ^xrviiiu,"  Psdm  cxliii. 
11,   U. 


/ANOARY  14  27 

Leve  as  brethren,   1  Pet.  iii.   8. 

LovK  without  reason  is  a  mad  passion.  ProfC'saion  tvithout  lore, 
Is  but  "  a  sounding  brass  or  a  tinkling  cymbal;  ui.n-ca.ii.g  loise  to 
others;  unprofiting  to  him  that  makes  it.  Loyc  is  of  God.  It  k 
that  precious  ointment  tJiat  is  poured  forth  from  the  Father  of  love 
upon  the  head  of  our  spiritual  Aaron,  and  runs  down  to  the  skirts 
of  his  garment,  even  upon  all  his  bretluen,  the  children  of  love. 
Love  descends  from  God,  through  Jesus,  to  us,  spreads  itself  amonj 
the  brethren,  and  descends  in  grateful  odours  to  the  God  of  love. 

The  prophet  asks,  «  Have  we  not  all  one  Father?"  Mai.  ii.  10. 
Yes,  saith  our  elder  brother,  «I  ascend  unto  my  FaUierj.and  your 
Father,"  John  xx.  M.  Hence  the  holy  spirit  draws  the  image  of 
Jesus,  « the  first  born  of  the  many  bredu-en,"  upon  each  of  their 
souls  ;  and  possesses  them  with  the  fuith  of  Jesus.  "  And  whoso- 
ever bclieveth  that  Jesus  is  the  Christ,  is  born  of  God ;  and  every 
one  that  lovctli  him  that  begat,  lovetli  him  also  that  is  begotten  of 
him,"  1  Johnv.  1.  FiUth  in  Jesus  is  the  band  and  cement  of  bro- 
tlierlyloTC.  Are  we  the  brethren  of  Jesus,  beloved  and  chosen  by 
one  Father,  born  again  in  the  •  same  Spirit,  partakers  of  the  same 
grace,  heirs  of  the  same  promises,  travellers  to  the  same  kingdom, 
.ind  shall  we  not  love  each  other  ?  Alas  !  alas  !  we  mourn  for  tlie 
loss  of  health,  substance,  &c.  but  what  greater  cause  is  there  to  la- 
ment the  loss  of  love  amoncjst  God's  dear  cliildren,  Jesu's  beloved 
brethren  ! 

But  we  are  all  like  Simeon  and  Levi,  brethren  in  iniquity  :  and  as 
with  them,  so  anger  and  self-will  is  also  found  with  us,  Gen.  xlix, 
5,  6.  Both  arc  the  effect  of  pride,  anc>are  contrary  to  faith  and  love. 
The  question  is  not.  Are  we  perfectly  freed  from  every  passion  an* 
temper  contrary  to  love?  Nor  are  we  to  axpcctthis  from  our  brethren. 
God  loves  us  not  as  sinless,  but  as  he  views  us  in  Christ  Jesus.  Do 
wc  really  love  the  children  of  God  as  such — love  the  members  of 
Jesus  purely  for  his  sake  ?  Instead  of  indulging,  do  we  curb  and  re- 
sist, watch  and  pray  against  our  tempers,  which  arc  contrary  to  love? 
This  is  a  blessed  evidence,  the  root  of  love  is  in  us.'  Let  us  be  im- 
portunate with  Jesus,  that  the  fruits  may  abound  more  and  more  to 
the  glory  of  God,  «  whom  we  love,  because  he  first  loved  us." 

Lore  lays  lier  own  aclrartatrp  bj  Lore  is  the  g^aec  llint  keeps  her  pow'» 

To  seek  her  riciglibotir's  s;ooil  :  In  all  the  realms  above  ; 

So  (;n<!'s  own  Son  came  <lo\vn  to  die,  Thr>f  faith  and  hope  aro  ka»^»  »•  iji«rA 

Ami  bfcosht orrr  &t;s  witji  bltei^  Bw^jiapt  &>renT  !.«tp. 


28  JANUARY  15. 

Mine  iniquities  are  gone  over  my  head  ;  as  an  heavy  bur- 
den they  are  too  Jieavy  for  me. — Psalm  xxxviii.  4. 

Those  who  think  lightlj'^  of  sin,  and  account  iniquity  a  trifling 
tiling,  evidently  shew  tluit  the  god  of  his  world  hatli  biUided  tlieir 
eyes  to  the  infinite  atonement  of  Jesus,  and  iiardencd  their  hcciX'ts 
through  the  deceitfuhiess  of  sin  j  therefore  they  ure  insensible  of 
grief,  and  without  feeling  of  godly  sorrow  for  sin.  When  Jesus  is 
known  in  the  heart,  sin  is  truly  abhorred,  forsaken,  and  overcome. 
But  it  is  most  distressing  to  the  regenerate  soul  when  the  load  of  guilt 
and  the  burden  of  sin  are  suffered  to  lie,  day  after  day,  upon  the  con- 
science. O  the  insupportable  agony  of  such  a  state,  none  know  but 
those  who  have  experienced  it !  One  v/ould  ask,  Is  not  tliis  coiitra- 
dictory  to  that  comforting  assertion,  "  There  is  liow  no  condemnation 
to  them  that  are  in  Chi'ist  Jesus  ?"  Rom,  viii.  1, — inconsistent  with 
that  triumphant  challenge,  "  Who  shall  lay  any  thing  to  the  charge 
©f  God's  elect  ?"  Rom.  viii.  33.  No  ;  for  though  charge  and  con- 
demnation for  sin  may  be  brought  by  Satan,  the  accuser  of  the  bre- 
thren ;  the  law  may  condeinn,  and  our  own  spirits  must  confess  we 
are  sinners  ;  yet  our  covenant  God  hath  no  condemnation  against  us. 
For  he  hath  laid  all  our  iniquities  upon  Jesus;  and  this'is  the  full 
and  free  charter  of  his  covenant  concerning  his  children :  "  Their 
sins  and  their  iniquities  will  I  remember  no  more." 

Jesus  is  the  only  balm  in  Giicad,  the  only  physician  for  sin-dis- 
tressed, sore  burdened,  heavy  laden  souls.  We  may  seek  rest,  but 
all  in  vain,  from  any  other  object.  Notliing  can  quiet  and  relieve 
the  distressed  soul  but  this  one  truth,  Jesus  hatli  actually  bore,  Jesus 
hath  fully  suffered,  Jesus  hath  perfectly  atoned  for  i;ll  the  sins  of  his 
people  ;  so  that  the  Lord  has  discharged  all  their  sins,  ai:id  will  re- 
member no  sin,  no,  not  one  sin  against  them.  O  Avhen  one  beholds 
this  general  release,  every  debt  crossed  by  Jesu's  blood,  and  God 
acquitting  from  every  accusation  of  law  and  conscience,  then  our 
souls  return  to  their  rest.  I'his  is  the  faith  of  God's  elect.  So  the 
Spirit  bears  witness  to  Jesus.  So  he  is  gloi'ifieu  and  delighted  in,  as 
"  the  chicfcst  among  ten  thousand,  and  altogether  lovely."  And  while 
«ur  hearts  are  kept  simple,  lovirig,  -faithful  to  him,  we  live  tipon  his 
g;racc,  imd  feast  upon  his  love,  and  holy  longings  inspire  our  hearts 
that  ^^e  may  fully  enjoy  Li.a  in  glory.     O  then, 

Sin,  (my  worst  enemy  before)  Tlicn  slmlll  see,  ajid  he.ir,  and  knou 

Sh.ill  vex  my  eyes  and  enrs  no  more  ;  All  I  desir'dand  wisU'd  below  : 

My  itnvard  foes  shall  nil  Tje  slain,  AutTcY'ry  pow 'r  find  sweet  employ 

Nor  Siitaii  break  my  peace  ngain.  lii  (list  cteinul  world  of  joy. 


JANUARY  16.  29 

Yea,  hath  God  said ^   Ye  shall  not  eat  of  every  tree  of  the 
garden?. — Gen.  iii.  1. 

It  is  the  grand  master-piece  of  that  wisdom  which  is  earthly, 
sensual,  devilish,  to  cdl  in  question  the  truth  of  God's  word  ;  to  in- 
sinuate a  doubt  about  it.  But  here  appears  more  modesty  even  in 
Satan,  than  in  some  of  his  servants  ;  for  he  only  puts  a  query  upon 
it,  whereas  they  absolutely  deny  and  ridicule  the  truth  of  Jehovah. 
In  the  same  way  that  the  old  serpent  attacked  and  prevailed  against  the 
innocence  of  our  first  parents,  he  still  attempts  to  destroy  the  com- 
forts and  oppose  the  holiness  of  God's  children  by  artful  suggestions 
against  the  truth  of  God's  word.  If  he  can  but  raise  a  doubt  in  oui* 
minds  concerning  what  the  Lord  hath  spoken,  he  strikes  at  the  very 
foundation  of  our  faith,  hope,  love,  and  obedience.  As  he  abode  not 
in  the  truth,  he  is  a  restless  implacable  enemy  to  the  truth,  and  to 
every  soul  who  embraces  the  truth  as  in  Jesus. 

Really,  one  finds  Satan  like  a  laborious  domestic  chaplain,  preach- 
ing in  season,  and  out  of  season,  in  one's  ears  :  '  Hath  the  pord 
spoken  tliis  ?  hath  he  forbidden  that  ?  how  can  this  doctrine  be"  e  ? 
it  is  so  contrary  to  reason,  so  inconsistent  with  the  nature  of  things  j 
you  a  child  of  God  ?  you  a  believer  in  Jesus  ?  your  sins  atoned  for  by 
Jesus  ?  your  soul  clothed  with  his  righteousness  and  sanctified  by  his 
Spirit  ?  Is  not  everlasting  love  mere  imagination  ?  electing  grace,  the 
creature  of  fancy  ?  the  safety  and  perseverance  of  the  saints  of  Jesus, 
the  whim  of  a  heated  brain  ?  is  Jesus  tlie  essentially  true  God  ?  hath 
the  Lord  spoken  so  much  against  sin  ?  doth  he  require  so  muck 
strictness  of  life  and  holiness  in  walk  as  is  contrary  to  the  rest  of  the 
world,  and  exposes  to  their  hatred  and  contempt  ?  hath  God  said  so 
and  so  ?' 

Thus  with  art  and  sophistry,  he  insinuates  and  puts  on  the  air  of 
a  candid  disputant  for  truth.  ^Vhat  did  Eve  get  by  listening  to  him, 
and  conversing  with  him  ?  rather,  what  did  she  not  lose  ?  e\en  tho 
life,  the  love,  the  joy,  the  peace  of  her  soul.  It  is  our  wisdom  not 
to  parley  with  or  study  to  answer  Satan's  suggestions,  but  instantly 
to  "  resist  him  stedfastin  the  faith,"  1  Pet.  v.  9;  taking  the  sword 
of  the  Spirit,  the  word  of  God,  wherein  is  contained  the  truth,  tlip 
whole  truth,  and  nothing  but  the  truth.  "  All  scripture  is  given  by 
inspiration  of  God,  being  alilc  to  make  us  wise  unto  salvation  through 
faith  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus,"  2  Tim,  iii,    1 G. 

Sec  liow  the  prince  of  daikness  tries  O  tlion  my  sun,  and  ihon  ray  sliiclil. 
All  his  malicious  arts  ;  My  soul  iu  safely  keep  ; 

He  spreads  a  mist  around  my  eyes,  ^lakc  Iiaste,  before  mine  eyes  nrc  seal'*! 
And  throws  his  fi'ry  darts.  Iji  death's  eternal  sleep. 

Vol,.  I.  D 


30  JANUARY  17. 

And  all  they  In  the  synagogue,  when  they  heard  thesi 
things,  were  filled  with  w;rrtM.— Luke  iv.  28. 
IK-MAN  nature,  how  low  fallen  in  misery  and  wretchedness? 
yet  how  high  doth  it  rise  in  pride  !  Thovigh  the  meek  Lamb  ot  God 
is  the  preacher  ofsovercign  grace  and  distinguishing  love,  yet  the 
wrath  of  man  dares  to  exalt  itself  against  his  doctrine.  Fury  burst 
forth  like  n.c,  vengeance  and  resentment  breuk  the  bounds  of  the 
law  of  G'.d  and  man,  and  would  have  instantly  put  Jesus  to  death. 

Pride  is  the  first-born  of  Lu'cifer  :  "  Ye  shall  be  as  gods,"  hath 
kiinted  our  whole  nature  with  the  cursed  leaven,  and  will  be  the  last 
enemy  that  is  destroyed  in  us.  Out  of  the  abmidance  of  pride  m  the 
heart,  the  mouth  is  opened  against  God's  sovereign  grace,  discrmii- 
nating  love,  and  divine  dispensations  «  Be  still,  and  know  tliat  I  am 
God,"  is  a  lesson  the  proud  nature  of  man  is  averse  to.  "  I  will  be 
gracious  to  whom  I  will  be  gracious,  and  will  shew  mercy  on  whom 
I  will  shew  mercy,"  Exod.  xxxiii.  19,  though  spoke  from  the 
mouth  of  the  Lord,  yet  the  hearts  of  sinners  rise  in  wrath  against  it : 
the  •■  ok  with  an  evil  eye  upon  the  good  pleasure  of  the  Lord  ;  and 
dai^cchallcngc  and  call  in  question  his  truths,  and  his  dealings  with 

the  children  of  men. 

Disciple,  this  d.iy,  a  real  likeness,  a  true  picture  of  thy  proud 
nature  is  presented  to  thy  view.  Behold  thyself  in  thy  proud  breth- 
f-cn.  See  thy  natural  aversion  to  the  sovereignty  of  God's  iruths, 
and  thy  Saviour's  doctrines.  All  these  worshipping  Jews,  priests 
as  well  as  people,  conceived  wrath  ev<;n  in  God's  house  :  yea,  their 
teeming  hearts  were  soon  filled  with  it  against  Jesus,  a  man  who 
told  them  the  truth.  Ihe  histories  of  the  Sarcptan  widow  and 
Naaman  the  Assyrian,  tliey  were  well  acquainted  with,  but  could  not 
bear  the  doctrine  of  them.  Good  Hezekiah  humbled  himself  for  the 
pride  of  his  heart,  2  Chron.  xxxii.  26,  -  do  we  feel  the  stirrings 
of  it  also  ]  O  what  cause,  what  daily  cause  for  his  practice.  Stout 
woi-ds  proceed  from  unhumblcd  hearts.  When  our  voices  are  heard 
on  hi;^h  against  God's  sovereign  determinations,  it  is  a  sad  proof 
'hal  our  hearts  are  not  laid  low  witli  a  sight  and  sense  of  being  guilty 
!)cfore  God.  Those  who  challenge  God's  purposes,  have  some  plea 
founded  upon  their  own  imaginary  goodness.  "  Be  clotlicd  with  hu- 
mility ;  for  God  rcsisvcth  the  proud,  and  giveth  grace  to  the  hum- 
ble,"  1  Pet.  V.  5. 

.^!.:iU  n>r.n  icf.lyagRinsttheLord,  Euf,  O  my  sonl,  if  truth  so  bright 

\nil  f!ill  his;  Make -'s  whvs  unjust  ?  '     SlioiiM  da/.zle  aiul  confound  thy  sigh;, 

riic  tJiiiiidcr  of  his  (Ircmlfiil  word  Yi  t  still  his  v  rittcn  will  nhv\ 


-  to  I 


A II J  virtt  flic  g:voal  deiisive  day. 


JANUARY  18.  31 

SeUrch  me,  0  God  andhwiv  my  heart:  try  mc  and  know 
my  thoughts,  and  see  if  there  be  any  wicked  way  in  me^ 
and  lead  me  in  the  way  everlasting, — Psalm  cxxxix. 
23,  24. 

«  He  that  doth  the  truth  cometh  to  the  light,  that  his  deeds  ma) 
be  made  manifest  that  they  urc  wrou'^^ht  in  God,"  John  iii.  21.  This 
is  an  hifulUblc  touchstone  of  true  conversion,  given  by  the  Oracle  oi" 
truth.  "  He  that  trustcth  to  his  own  heart  is  a  fool."  Prov.  xxviii. 
26.  Sincerity  may  be  attended  with  diflidence.  Sincere  upright 
souls  know  they  have  to  do  with  a  heart-searchirig  God  :  to  him  they 
appeal,  and  desire  to  be  searched  and  tried  by  him.  What  avails 
the  soul,  to  obtain  a  f.ivorable  opinion  from  our  vain  fellow-mor^ 
tals,  if  we  are  conscious  all  is  not  right  within  1  What  peace,  what 
comfort,  what  joy,  though  men  approve,  and  the  soul  itsi;lf  be  ever 
so  confident,  while  conscience  testifies  my  ways  do  not  please  the 
Lord,  my  walk  is  contrary  to  his  will !  True  love  to  Jesus  excites 
godly  jealousy  in  the  heart.' 

While  in  the  flesh,  we  are  ever  exposed  to  deceit  from  a  subtle 
foe,  a  deceitful  heart,  and  an  ensnaring  world,  yea  and  from  lalse 
teachers  also.  Intricate  paths  piay  present — darkness  may  over- 
take— and  Satan  may  thrust  sore  at  the  soul  that  it  may  fall,  or  be 
driven  into  by-ways  of  error  and  wickedness.  Here  is  the  wisdom 
and  patience  of  saints  when  they  cannot  see  their  way,  to  cry  to 
their  guide.  Jesus  is  the  way— the  only  way— the  way  everlasting  ; 
in  which  the  saints  in  all  ages  walked  to  glory.  Faith  in  Jesus  is 
inconsistent  with  every  wicked  way.  'ihough  in  our  present  state 
there  is  no  entire  freedom  from  sin,  which  dwelleth  in  us  ;  conse- 
quently no  perfection  in  righteousness,  performed  by  us  :  )  ct  the 
•more  we  abide  m  Jesus,  the  closer  we  cleave  to  him,  the  mere  sted- 
fastly  we  behold  him,  so  much  the  more,  through  the  gruce  of  the 
holy  Spirit,  we  shall  be  dead  to  sin  and  alive  to  holiness.  We  shall 
experience  the  ways  of  wisdom  to  be  "  ways  of  pleasantness,  and 
all  her  paths  to  be  paths  of  peace,"  Prov.  iii.  17.  This  is  the  end 
of  simple-hearted,  sincere  souls,  in  their  appeals  at  a  throne  of  grace, 
that  "with  open  face,  beholding  as  in  a  glass  the  glory  of  the  Lord, 
they  may  be  changed  into  the  same  image  from  glory  to  glory,  even 
as  by  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord,"  2  Cor.  iii.    18. 

His  spirit  purifies  our  frame,  O  let  tliy  p^-ace  snrroun  J  me  stiU, 

And  seals  our  peace  with  God  :  And  like  a  bulwark  piove, 

Jesus  and  liis  salvation  came  To  guard  i«y  soul  from  ev'jy  ill. 

By  v.'ater  and  by  blood.  SeciirM  by  sov'reigii  Iom- 


32  JANUARY  19. 

Jfye  continue  in  my  word,  then  are  ye  my  disciples  iii- 
deed. — John  viii.  31. 

As  mutual  love  subsists  between  Jesus  and  his  believing  mem- 
bers, so  there  is  a  mutual  choice  of  each  other.     Hence,  saith  the 
church,  "  I  am  my  beloved's,  and  my  beloved  is  mine,"  Cant.  vi.  3. 
So  also  there  is  a  mutual  inhabitation  ;  every  believer  dwells  hi  Christ, 
and  Christ  in  him.     This  matter  is  only  comfortably  experienced  by 
continuing  in  the  truth.     For  "  whosoever  transgrcsscth,  and  abidcth 
not  in  the  doctrine  of  Christ,  hatln  not  God  ;  he  that  abideth  in  the 
doctrine  of  Christ,  he  hath  both  the  Fatlier  and  tlic  Son,"  2  John  ix. 
Many  profess  to  be  disciples  of  Jesus  in  name.     But  what  profit  is 
tliis  ?    If  souls  have  not  been  sick  of  shi,  alas,  Jesus  will  be  a  physi- 
cian of  no  value  to  them.     If  souls  have  not  seen  themselves  lost, 
their  state  accursed,  and  their  case  hopeless  iind  desperate,  so  tliat 
none  but  Jesus  can  restore  and  suve  them,  they  will  but  lightly 
esteem  our  Saviour.     However  precious  Jesus  is  to  others?  he  will 
Ijc  but  little   regarded  by  them.     They  may  profess  his  word,  but 
not  being  his  disciples  indeed,  they  will  not  continue  long  ;  they  will 
only  follow  him  for  a  season.     Ah,  poor  soids,  how  soon  are  they 
offended  ?     Little  things  put  them  to  a  stand.     Trifles  turn  them 
back.     Temptations  and  trials  prove  what  they  are.     Other  objects 
engage  their  affections,  and  they  presently  fall  quite  away,  and  fol- 
low tlie  Lamb  no  more. 

Continuance  in  tire  truth  is  tlie  touchstone  of  faith  :  thus  only  it  is 
evidenced.  Disciple,  remember,  "if  thou  comestto  serve  the  Lord, 
prepare  thy  soul  for  temptation,"  Eccles.  ii.  1  ;  so  surely  as  thou 
■  art  a  disciple  in  deed  and  in  truth,  thou  must  become  a  crucified 
servant  of  a  crucified  Lord.  As  thou  hopcst  for  the  comforts  of 
faith,  so  expect  the  trials  of  faith,  and  the  exercise  of  patience. 
Thou  nmst  abide  the  tribulations  of  Jesu's  woi'd,  as  well  as  its  conso- 
lations. The  master  deceives  none.  He  tells  us  what  we  are  to  ex- 
pect ;  every  thing  grievous  to  flesh  and- blood.  But  blessed  be  his 
gracious  name  and  precious  love,  he  hath  bid  us  "  fear  not,"  and 
hath  given  us  the  most  comfortable  assurances.  "  I  have  redeemed 
thee,  I  have  called  tiiee  by  thy  name  ;  thou  art  mine.  When  thou 
passcst  througli  the  water  (of  aflliciion)  I  will  be  with  thee ;  and 
through  the  rivers  (deep  and  overwhelming  distress)  tliey  shall  not 
overflow  thee;  when  thou  walkest  through  the  fire  (fiery  darts  of 
Satah>  hot  temptations  within,  and  burning  malice  of  men  without) 
thou  Shalt  notbebunu;  (like  the  burning  bush,  thou  shalt  not  be 
consumed)  neither  shall  the  flume  kindle  upon  thee."  (Thou  shalt 
be  fire-proof.)  Why  all  this  safety  iti  the  midst  of  such  danger  ? 
Most  joyful  reason  I  "  For  I  am  the  Lord  thy  God,  the  Holy  One  of 
liiJMtl,  thy  Saviour,"  Isa.  xliii.  I.  :,  3. 


1$ 


JANUARY  20.  33 

Thus  saith  the  Lord,  Cursed  be  the  man,  that  tnisteth  in 
man  and  maketh  fiesh  his  arm,  and  whose  heart  de- 
partethfrom.  the  Zo/y/.  — Jer.  xvii.  5. 

It  is  very  remarkable,  after  the  prophet  pronounces  the  curse 
of  confidinsj  in  the  flesh,  and  the  blessedness  of  trusting  in  the  Lord, 
he  immediutcly  adds,  "  The  heart  is  deceidul  above  all  things,  and 
desperately  wicked,"  Jer.  xviii.  9.  Hence  we  may  infer,  that  the 
poison  of  pride,  vain  confidence  in  the  flesh,  and  self-righteous  hopes, 
may  lurk  under  the  most  exalted  pretensions  to  piety,  holiness,  and 
perfection.  Tliis  matter  calls  for  great  care  and  circumspection. 
'  "  As  many  as  are  of  tlie  works  of  the  law  (who  in  ta^y  wise  seek  to 
be  made  righteous  by  doing)  are  under  the  curse,"  Gal.  iii.  10. 
Think  not  this  contrary  to  the  holiness  of  God  to  pronounce  such  to 
be  cursed,  as  though  the  Lord  did  not  hate  sui,  and  love  and  approve 
true  holiness.  No  :  but  such  deceive  their  own  souls,  and  iialter 
themselves  in  their  own  sight.  They  dishonor  the  perfection  of 
God's  law,  by  bringing  down  its  purity  and  spirituality  to  a  level 
with  their  own  works  and  obedience.  They  reject  the  righteousness 
of  Jesus,  deny  the  faith  of  him,  look  to  tlieir  own  holiness,  trust  in 
themselves  that  they  are  righteous,  conlide  in  the  power  of  the  flesh, 
and  so  their  hearts  depart  from  the  Lord.  Pride  iind  self-cxdltiug  is 
?t  the  bottom  of  all  this.  As  they  appeal  to  the  lav/,  they  must  go  to 
the  law,  and  hear  its  sentence,  which  sounds  noUiing  but  curse,  and 
wrath,  and  hell. 

These  are  precious  evangelical  words  of  Luther :  <  So  M-e  teach 
and  comfort  the  afilicted  sinner.  Brother,  it  is  not  possible  foi-  thee 
to  become  so  righteous  as  to  feel  no  sin  at  all.  In  that  thou  dost  feel 
and  acknowledge  it,  it  is  a  good  token  ;  «give  thanks  to  God.  Christ 
healeth  them  that  are  broken  in  heart,  and  saveth  sinners.  Follow 
not  the  judgment  of  reason?  which  tcUeth  thee,  Chris.t  is  tuigry  with 
sinners  ;  but  kill  reason  and  believe  in  Christ,  tuid  the  sin  which  re- 
maineth  in  thee  is  pardoned  for  Christ's  sake,  in  whom  thou  beiievest) 
whose  righteousness  is  thy  righteousness;  and  thy  sin  is  his  sin. 
Every  christian  is  an  high  priest.  This  is  the  daily  sacrifice  of  the 
New  Testament,  which  must  be  offered  up.  The  evening  sacrifice  is 
to  kill  reason  :  the  morning  sacrifice  is  to  glorify  God.'  On  Gal.  iii. 
6.  "  Blessed  is  the  man  that  trusteth  in  the  Lord,  and  whose  hope  the 
Lord  is,"     Jer.  xvii.  7. 

I  am  tlic  mail  m  lio  stood  accurst :  But  .Testis,  Lord,  v  liat  liast  Uioii  done  ? 

My  heart  departed  from  the  Lord  :  Turn  me,  i  proiid  self-righluous  foe, 

Flcbli  was  my  arm,  pride  was  nij  luit :  To  trust  i.i  tliee,  and  thee  aloiii.-, 

.My  just  deserts  to  be  abliori'd.  A i»d  all  "' v  former  liopci  folToO^    il. 


34.  JANUARY  21. 

Let  us  ^0  forth  unto  him  -without  the  camp,  hearing  hk 
reproach. — Heb.  xiii.  13. 
Tiriu  profession  of  Jesus  is  easy  to  nature.  There  is  nothing 
irksome  to  the  flesh  in  hcuig  called  a  chiisti«n.  But  to  know  Jesus 
in  heart,  to  confess  him  ^vilh  the  tongue,  and  to  foiiow  him  in  our 
life,  will  ever  expose  us  to  reproach  and  contempt.  But  it,  with 
Philip,  we  have  really  found  that  blessed  him  of  whom  Moses  and 
the  prophets  wrote,  we  must,  we  shall  speak  of  him  to  others.  We 
shall  esteem  Jesus  our  beloved  as  our  richest  treasure.  Ou  r  hearts 
and  affections  will  be  going  out  after  him.  Moses'  choice  will  be 
oui-s':  "We  sliall  esteem  the  reproaches  of  Christ  greater  riches  mau 
the  treasures  of  Egypt."  But  fleshly  wisdom  is  contrary  to  ail  tliis. 
That  ever  prompts, '  Save  thyself— tiike  care  of  thy  gooa  name— - 
fear,  lest  that  be  cast  out  as  evil — beware  of  thy  character — go.  not 
too  fai-,  thou  wilt  sustain  damage.  In  the  camp  ot  this  world,  riches, 
pleasures,  and  honors  arc  enjoyed.  Study  th  'lappy  mean.  Thou 
maycst  hold  with  the  world,  and  yet  not  quit  Jesus.'  Nay,  but  thou 
canst  not  love  and  serve  two  such  contrary  masters  :  thou  wilt  soon 
grow  tired  of  one  or  the  other.  The  inward  glory  and  peace  of  Jctus 
•will  not,  cannot  be  enjoyed  but  while  the  heart  and  affections  are 
placed  on  hhn.  The  faith  of  Jesus  is  contrary  to  the  world,  it  can- 
not be  reconciled  to  its  vain  customs  and  sinful  maxims.  Nay,  iaith 
is  the  victory  that  overcomeih  the  world.  Tae  world  is  an  enemy's 
camp.  A  despised  Nazarine  is  the  cliristiun's  glory.  To  bear  his 
reproach  is  our  highest  honor. 

The  heaven-born  soul,  though  like  a  captive  imprisoned  in  flesh, 
yet  hath  free  access  to  Jesus  by  faith.  So  it  endures  present  re- 
proaches, seeing  him  that  is  invisible.  And  do  we  hope  for  future 
.sight,  and  eternal  fruition  of  him  who  endured  the  cross  and  despised 
the  shame  for  us  ?  l.ct  us  take  and  bear  his  cross  ;  despised  disciples 
Jet  us  be.  Look  d(nvi)  ou  the  Avorld  with  contempt.  Look  up  to 
Christ  with  joy.  Go  fortli  to  meet  him  in  love,  O  soul.  Remember, 
ever  bear  on  thy  miud,  Jesus  went  forth  cheerfully  to  meet  all  his 
conflicts  and  agonies  for  us.  It  is  but  ?.  Utile  while  ere  we  shall  go 
forth  from  the  body  "  to  meet  the  l^ord  if.  the  aii-,  and  so  shall  we  be 
ever  with  the  Lord,   1  Thess.  iv.  17. 

When  I  cnn  ronil  my'tiflp  f  1<  .-  KouW  earth  against  rny  soul  engage, 
Tn^ii;inbions  in  tl.c  files,  And  hellish  d;:rtE  be  hui  I'd, 

I  bill  fiiTfiv  ell  to  cv'ry  fpflr,  Tl.cii  can  I  eniilc  at  Sjitan's  rage. 
And  wipe  tuy  weeping  e_v.;  .  And  face  a  f: o -i  iii;v'  world. 


JANUARY  22.  35 

For  his  anger  endureth  but  a  moment ;  in  his  favor  is  life. 

fFecping  maij  endure  for  a  night,  hut  joy  cometh  in  the 

morning. — Psalm  xxx.  5. 
Verily  here  is  a  glorious  assemblage  of  comforting  truths  like 
a  reviving  cordial  of  rich  compounds  to  enliven  drooping  spirits. 
Too,  too  often  do  God's  children  judge  of  their  Father's  love,  from 
corrupt  ideas.  1  hrough  the  carnality  of  their  natures,  the  depravity 
of  their  judgment,  the  weakness  of  their  faith,  the  uncertainty  of  their 
frames  and  feelings,  and  the  artful  insinuations  of  Satan,  their  loving 
Father  is  considered  as  an  implacable  being,  full  of  wrath  and  euiger 
against  them.  But  this  is  contrary  to  God's  revelation  of  himselt  m 
Christ  Jesus  as  a  God  of  Love.  So  also  is  it  injurious  and  hurtful  to 
the  souls  of  the  f.dthful ;  for  it  damps  their  love,  distresses  their 
spirits,  deadens  the  exercise  of  their  graces,  andhiuders  their  increase 
in  holiness ;  the  essence  of  which  is  founded  in  the  love  of  God. 
Therefore  such  views  come  not  from  God.  But  thus  Satan  gains  an 
adv -.ntage,  and  triumphs  over  poor  souls,  with, '  There,  there,  so 
would  I  have  it.' 

V/hat  can  the  soul  do  ?  whither  can  he  fly  ?  what  course  can  he 
take  ?  All  legal  efforts  are  vain — creature  acts  inefiectual — from  self 
and  nature  no  hope  can  spring.  What  can  he  think  ?  Truly  stand 
amazed  that  he  is  out  of  hell.  He  cannot  sink  lower  in  his  views  of 
himself,  than  what  his  just  deserts  are.  But  never  so  miserable  can 
he  be  in  his  own  sight,  but  the  grace  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus  is  all- 
sufiicient  to  afford  liope  and  help.  In  nature's  despair,  grace  ti'i- 
umphs.  A  sense  of  momentary  anger  heightens  returning  favor. 
The  joy  of  the  morning  is  improved  by  a  past  night  of  sorrow.  Gocl 
ever  rests  unchangeable  in  his  love  to  his  people.  This  is  the  essence 
of  gospel  grace  and  truth.  That  we 'vary  and  fluctuate  in  our  appre- 
hension of  his  love,  is  natural  to  our  very  existence,  as  old  and  new 
creatures.  "  But  we  have  a  more  sure  word  of  prophesy,  whereunto 
ye  do  well  that  yc  take  heed,  as  unto  a  liglit  that  shineth  in  a  dark 
place,  until  the  day  dawn,  and  the  day-star  arise  in  your  hearts," 
2  Peter  i.  19.  "  The  testimony  of  Jesus  is  the  spirit  of  prophesy," 
Rev.  xix.  10. 

How  will  the  pow'rs  of  cJaikncss boast  IVIy  heart  sh.ill  feci  thy  love,  and  raise 

If  but  one  praying  soul  be  lost !  My  cheenul  voice  to  songs  of  praise. 
But  I  liave  tnisttd  in  thy  grace, 

And  shall  again  behold  thy  face.  Tliy  aiig«r  but  a  moment  stays  : 

Thy  love  is  life  and  1  ngtli  of  days ; 

Whate'er  my  fears  or  foes  suggest,  Tho'  grief  and  te^i-s  the  night  employ. 

Thou  art  my  hope,  my  joy,  my  rest ;  Tkoo,  Mormug-Star,  rcstor'st  my  joy. 


.36  JANUARY  23. 

O  my  God,  my  soul  is  cast  down  ivithin  me  ;  therefore 
will  I  remember  thee  from  the  land  of  Jordan^  and  of  the 
Ilcrmomtes.from  the  hill  Mizar. — Psalm,  xlii.  6. 

In  times  of  dejection  and  distress,  the  thoughts  of  a  dear  friend, 
who  has  comforted  us  in  times  past,  tend  to  alleviate  the  mind.  If 
wc  are  assured  of  his  love  to  us,  we  question  not  his  readiness  to 
ajisist  us.  So  under  the  affecting  loss  of  a  dear  brother,  Martha 
;jldrcsscs  the  Saviour,  "  Lord,  if  thou  hadst  been  here,  my  brother 
had  not  dieil,"      John  xi.  21. 

Inexpressible  blessedness,  to  live  in  a  holy  familiarity  with  the 
Cod  of  love  !  How  simple  are  David's  words  !  how  freely  doth  he 
pour  out  his  complaints,  and  tell  God  of  his  sorrows!  though  his 
soul  was  bowed  down  within  him,  heaviness  of  mind  beset  him,  the 
sweet  sunshine  of  joy  was  overcast  by  tlie  dark  cloud  of  sorrow,  yet 
faitli's  piercing  eye  looks  through  all.  Regardless  of  his  own  frames 
and  feelings,  he  has  direct  recourse  to  God. 

O  my  (iod,  how  sweet,  how  animating  are  appropriating  views 
to  the  soul  !  Though  cast  down,  though  dejected  in  self,  and  all 
within  heightens  the  gloom,  yet  all  above  is  hopeful  and  encourag- 
ing. I'hough  no  confidence  about  us,  yet  Jesus  is  before  the  throne 
for  us.  '  I  will  not,  I  cannot,  I  dare  not  forget  this.  Rejoice  not 
over  mc,  O  mine  enemy;  I  will  still  remember  my  God!  my  thoughts 
shall  be  yet  to\7r.rds  him  ;  my  hope  is  in  him;  my  expectations  from 
hnn.  Tliougii  it  is  now  dark,  I  will  remember  past  times  of  light  and 
lo^vc.  Though  now  bowed  down,  yet  my  God.  has  been  the  lifter-up 
•■fmy  head.  The  light  of  his  reconciled  face  in  Jesus  hath  shined 
up.on  me.  Clouds  may  intercept  my  joyful  views  of  this,  but  not 
prevent  his  sight  of  mc,  nor  turn  away  his  love  from  me.  My  case 
is  before  bin).  My  soul  lies  open  to  his  view.  The  times  of  refresh- 
ing shall  come  from  his  presence.  He  rests  in  his  love.'  Such  arc 
the  reasonings  of  faith.  Departed  saints'  experience  should  encourage 
lun.g  saints'  confidence.  Cast  down,  mourning  souls,  when  they 
ci.joy  not  God',s  comforts,  should  meditate  on  his  loving  purposes, 
i-ieh  promises,  and  free  grace  in  Christ  Jesus-  holding  fast  by  the 
word  of  h.s  truth,  "God  is  laithful,  by  whon.  yfe  were  called  iuto  the 
!•  llowsli-p  ol  his  son  Jcbus  Christ  our  Lord,"   i  Cor.  i.  Q. 


1-f  tr.nptations  sharj.  an.l  hm^  The  gospel  bears  my  spirit  i.p  ; 

^  Hc,Ml  to  tlus  ,lcMi-  .TfuRc.  fli.s  :  '     A  raill.r..l  an.l  unchanging  Go.l 

_  .H  n.T  anchor  tuMn  an.l  strong,  L...vs  the  Ibv.ndation  for  my  hope 

h.U-  t.  n.pcsti  blow  a,Ml  billows  lis.-.  Jn  o:.tl.«,  and  promise?,  and  bloo.l: 


JANUARY  24.  37 

Sanctify  them  through  thy  truth^   thy  word  is  truth.^- 
John  xvii.  17. 

ThIjs  prayed  our  great  High  Priest  on  earth.  What  he  asked 
in  his  hunuUation,  is  founded  upon  the  word  and  will  of  his  fainer  ; 
and  he  hath  power  to  efiect  in  his  exaltation.  Hence  w^c  have  the 
fullest  assurance  of  the  perfect  sanciification  of  all  his  members. 
Hence  the  desires  luid  breathings  of  souls  after  holuiess  are  encour- 
aged ;  and  tlie  prayers  of  the  faithful  gatlicr  the  strongest  conhciencc 
of  success. 

While  our  beloved  expresses  his  affectionate  concern  for  his  peo- 
ple's salvation,  we  see  an  equal  regard  for  the  honor  and  glory  of 
his  Father's  word.  Love  for  holiness,  and  love  of  the  truth  are  in- 
separable As  the  gospel  prcviiils  in  tlie  heart,  holiness  is  increased. 
It  is  first  life,  then  liveliness  in  the  soul :  it  is  tlie  ministration  of 
the  Spirit  in  the  sanctification  of  tlie  spirit.  Whatever  working 
we  find  of  the  Spirit  in  the  heart,  it  is  by  the  word  of  truth.  The 
life  of  believers  is  from  Christ,  who  is  the  truth  ;  therefore  in- 
creasing light,  refreshing  comforts,  stronger  aflections  shall  abound, 
and  all  by  that  same  law  of  grace  and  truth,  whereby  the  soul  was 
at  first  converted  to  tlie  fcdth  of  Jesus.  "  The  law  ot  tlie  Lord  is 
perfect,  converting  the  soul,  niv.liing  wise  the  simple,  rejoicing  the 
heart,  enlightening  the  eyes,"  Psalm  xix.  7,  8. 

There  is  a  peculiar  glory  in  the  order  of  salvation,  "  God  hath 
ehosen  us  from  the  beginning  (before  the  foundation  of  the  world) 
to  salvation."  But  how  is  this  made  manifest  I  only  "  through  sanc- 
tification of  the  spirit,  and  belief  of  the  trulli,"  2  Tness.  ii.  13. 
Thus  faith  and  holiness  How  from  electing  love.  So  every  word  o£ 
God's  truth  is  prizi  d ;  and  the  fulfilment  of  every  promise  is  ex- 
pected. W'e  love  the  truth,  because  it  discovers  Gou's  most  ancient 
love  to  us  in  Christ :  it  reA^ciJs  Christ's  righteousness  to  us  for 
our  justification  ;  revives  our  hearts  with  the  knowieagc  of  pardon 
by  his  blood,  and  the  certainty  of  full  sanctification  and  perfect  glorjr 
through  his  intercession.  So  Jesus  prayed — so  we  believe — so  poor 
sinners  are  saved.  Saved,  unspeakable  mercy  !  saved  from  the 
power  of  sin  and  the  prevalence  of  pride.  H^.ppy  the  heart  where 
the  love  of  holiness  prevails  agreeable  to  the  word  of  truth.  Dread- 
ful delusion  !  when  the  truth  is  held  in  unrighteousness  ;  or  zeal  for 
holiness  is  contended  for,  while  the  truths  of  electing  love,  Christ's 
righteousness,  his  members'  certain  salvation  are  opposed  and  de- 
nied. Glory  to  the  Father  for  his  everlasting  love.  Glory  to  Jesu? 
for  his  justifying  righteousness  and  atoning  blood.  Glory  to  the 
Spirit ;  for  his  sanctifying  uifluences  will  ever  be  ascribed  to  them  by 
truly  sanctified  hearts.  "  What  God  hatli  joined  tggetlier,  let  no 
man  put  asunder,"  Matt.  xix.  6. 

Vol..  I.  E 


38  JANUARY  25. 

Whosoever  he  he  of  you  that  forsaketh  not  all  that  he 
hath,  he  cannot  be  my  disciple. — Luke  xiv.  2>o. 

"  Maijvkl  not  that  1  sM  unto  thee,  Ye  must  be  bom  again," 
sallh  Christ — John  iii.  7  The  blessed  effects  of  this  spiritual  birth 
will  be  evident  in  the  life.  Earthly  objects  will  be  forsaken  :  hea- 
venly ones  prized.  Jesus  will  be  chosen  as  our  beloved  master  and 
only  hope.  He  being  esteemed  our  treasure,  our  hearts  will  be  with 
him,  our  affections  towards  him  ;  and  it  will  be  our  chiefest  delight 
to  hear  his  voice,  and  to  follow  him  in  the  regeneration.  Coming 
to  Christ,  is  turning  our  backs  upon  the  "  lust  of  the  flesh,  the  lust 
•f  the  eye,  and  the  pride  of  life,"  By  the  faith  of  Jesus  we  renounce 
and  forsake  all  these  things  as  our  curse  and  shame.  The  clearer 
views  we  have  of  Christ's  glory,  and  the  stronger  our  faith  is  in 
him,  so  much  the  more  we  become  dead  to  all  things  beside  him. 
Thus  it  is  mainfest  who  are  the  disciples  of  Jesus  Their  master  so 
tcacheth  them.  We  have  need  to  pray  daily,  Sun  of  righteousness, 
shine  brighter  on  our  minds  I  Lord,  increase  our  faith!  For  the 
flesh,  with  its  affections  and  lusts,  still  abide  with  us ;  and  as  the 
life  of  Jesus  increasetli  through  faiUi  in  the  heart,  so  shall  we  more 
and  more  groan  under  whatever  is  contrary  thereto.  The  victory  is 
obtained  only  through  faith.  In  its  nature  very  simple,  but  in  its 
fruits  and  effects  most  comprehensive.  For  hereby  we  enjoy  more 
happiness  and  comfort  in  Christ,  tlian  all  that  this  present  world  can 
give  us.  Ye  sons  of  earth,  ye  disdidn  us  ;  we  pity  you.  As  ye  are 
now,  so  once  were  we.  We  enjoyed  your  carnal  gratifications,  and 
feasted  on  your  vain  delights  too,  too  long.  We  confess  it,  and 
grieve  for  it.  Now  we  have  found  Jesus.  We  have  another  and  a 
better  life.  In  divine  pleasures,  spiritual  joys  from  Christ,  and 
sweet  communion  with  him,  we  anticipate  future  glory.  We  enjoy 
a  heuven  of  comfort  in  a  world  of  sorrow.  Therefore,  in  forsaking 
all,  we  gain  all.  In  following  Jesus,  though  painful  and  grievous 
to  the  flesh,  yet  it  is  consolation  and  joy  to  the  life  of  our  souls. 

Experieiice  will  ever  prove,  that  he  who  walks  most  by  faith,  will 
be  Um;  most  comfortable  disciple.  He  who  lives  nearest  Christ  in 
fttilli,  will  follow  him  closest  in  love;  and,  consequently  keep  at  the 
greatest  distiuice  from  the  world's  vain  pleasures,  and  the  carnal 
delights  of  the  flesh.  »  If  ye  live  after  the  flesh,  ye  shall  die  :  but 
if  ye,  through  the  spirit,  do  mortify  the  deeds  of  the  body,  ye  shall 
livV'  Rom.  viii.  13. 

AlinUikcn  souls  that  drijim  of  Iicn\'n,  Faltli  must  obey  thtii-  Father's  will. 
And  iiiitki-  their  riiii)ty  Loii-it  As  v  ell  :is  trust  his  i^i-ace  ; 

Of  ifiw:i.(l  j(,\  s  null  8iii«  forpv'ri  Apaixl'iiiiij^  God  is  jealous  still 
AS'Uiic  tiiey  wc  ibvfs  of  hut !  Tor  his  own  holiness. 


,  JANUARY  26.  39 

Who  gave  himself  a  ransom  for  all,  to  be  testified  in  due 
time. — 1  Tim.  ii.  6. 

The  gospel  is  quite  sufficient  to  answer  every  objection,  and 
to  silence  every  cavil  against  iuivation  by  Christ.  This  Siicrea  oracle 
ve  are  to  consult  day  after  clay.  Do  we  ask,  Why  are  any  siiiucrs 
saved  ?  It  assures  Us  God  hath  loved  them ;  tliis  is  the  c.  use.  If 
we  enquire  how  God  doth  save  them  \  It  tells  us,  It  is  in  a  way  of 
strict  justice,  consistent  with  the  honor  ot  God's  law,  tiie  perlec- 
tion  oi  his  righteousness,  holiness,  and  trutn.  Therefore  redemp- 
tion is,  by  stipulated  price,  the  blood  of  the  covenant,  ihe  precious 
blood  of  Christ  as  a  Lamb  without  spot.  Do  we  seek  to  know  who 
arc  the  redeemed  of  the  Lord  ?  Jesus  assures  us  »'  he  gave  nis  lite-  a 
ransom  lor  many,"  Matt.  xx.  28 — oven  lor  all  whom  the  i-'ailxef 
hath  given  him. 

The  word  of  God  mentions  no  one  in  particular ;  but  sets  forth 
salvation  in  general  and  extensive  terms — it  is  exactly  suited  to  the 
most  vile  and  accursed  state  of  sinners — ^it  is  peiiectiy  sutticicni  to 
relieve  the  mind,  encourage  hope,  forbid  clespcur,  uiiacr  a  sense  of 
the  most  complicated  sins  and  accumulated  guilt  ot  lost,  wreiched, 
and  undone  souls  ;  for  the  ransom  of  Jesus  is  sufticitnt,  is  ail-sufti- 
cient.  The  price  he  piiid  for  our  redemption  is  luily  equivalent  to 
satisfy  for  all  our  transgressions,  aiid  to  iuiswer  every  demand  of 
law  and  justice.  To  this  very  end  Christ  gave  himself.  So  is  he 
testified  of  in  the  gospel  of  grace.  This  essential  and  important 
enquiry,  Have  I  redemption  in  the  blood  of  Christ,  even  the  for- 
giveness of  my  sins  ?  is  also  explicitly  answered — for  "  he  tliat  be- 
lieveth,  shall  be  saved" — "  he  is  justified  from  all  things."  Thus 
the  Holy  Ghost  testifies  in  the  word.  Where  this  is  receiveu  cuid 
believed  in  the  heart,  the  same  Spirit  also  bears  witness  to  it  with 
our  spirit^.  And  the  faith  of  God's  elect  is  evidenced,  by  bringing 
forth  the  fruits  of  the  Spirit. 

There  is  a  lime,  a  due  time,  when  Christ  shall  be  thus  testified  of 
to  the  souls  of  all  God's  chosen.  The  ransom-price  being  paid,  he 
^yill  set  the  captives  free,  and  "  say  to  the  prisoners,  go  fortli ;  to 
them  that  are  in  darkness,  shew  yourselves.  Ihcy  shall  iecd  in  the 
ways  (of  light  and  truth)  ;  and  their  pastures  shall  be  in  ail  high 
places  (even  the  iiiountains  of  consolation  and  the  hills  ol  joy). 
They  shall  not  hunger  nor  thirst  (after  any  oilier  hope^jut  Jesus)  : 
neitlicr  shall  the  heat,  nor  the  sun  smite  them  ;  (trials  and  afilictions 
shall  profit  them)  ;  he  that  hath  mercy  upon  them  shall  lead  ihem : 
(they  shall  not  be  left  to  walk  in  their  own  crooked  ways):  but  by  the 
springs  of  water  (^of  refreshment  and  lioliness)  shsdl  he  giudc 
them,"  Isa.  xlix.  9,  10. 


40  JANUARY   27. 

And  Jesus  said  unto  them,  when  ye  pray,  say,  Our  Father^ 
which  art  in  heaven,  ^c. — Luke  xi.  2, 
Faith  in  the  heurt  excites  pictyer  from  the  lips.  So  the  faith 
of  God's  elect  muiiifcsts  itself,  li  conieUi  from  Jie  Lord  the  Spirit. 
By  it  the  soul  is  led  to  Jesus  the  mediator  ;  uud  by  him  to  God  the 
Tutlicr.  So  each  person  in  the  Godhetid  is  known,  worshipped,  and 
glorified  by  believing  souls.  While  we  see  aid  teel  notiiing  of  our 
misery  and  wants,  no  marvel  prayer  is  an  irksome  task.  From  a 
sight  of  ourselves,  and  the  knowledge  of  Jesus,  we  come  to  him 
daily  with  smiplicity  of  heart,  Master,  teach  us  to  pray  !  It  is  the 
Iiighest  honor,  the  sweetest  privilege,  tlie  most  blessed  exercise  of 
the  soul  to  draw  nigh  to  God.  What  greater  on  earth  than  to  come 
to  the  throne  of  the  King  of  kings  ?  And  ihat  fear  and  shame  may 
not  beset  and  keep  us  back,  knowing  our  vile  nature  iind  siniul 
practice,  hear  our  Lord  I'lid  Saviour's  encouraging  direction,  "  Wuen 
ye  pray,  s.iy,  Our  Father,"  Sec. 

And  can  it  be,  that  I,  a  child  of  wrath  by  nature,  a  son  of  perdi- 
tion  by  sin,  a  vassal  and  slave  of  Satan  by  practice,  and  accurstci  by 
the  holy  law  ;  ciin  it  be  that  God  will  own  me,  hear  me,  and  bless  me 
as  his  child  ?  Yes;  grace  triumphs  over  nature's  deserts  ;  love  glories 
over  creature's  demerits,  liie  lips  of  truth  have  suia  it,  and  who 
shall  dare  reverse  it  ?  By  the  sword  of  the  Spirit  slay  the  unbelief 
of  thy  heart.  What  Jesus  hath  taught  his  disciples  to  call  God,  Uiat 
he  is  to  them.  As  Jesus  is  the  SuViour  of  a.l  men,  but  especially 
of  them  that  believe,  so  God  is  the  UiiiveisiJ  Parent  of  all ;  but  iu 
an  especial  manner,  the  Father  of  ail  the  dear  membeis  of  his  be- 
loved Son.  A  FaUicr  by  coveniuit  love,  by  election  of  grace— by 
precious  promise— by  strict  justice.  A  Father  in  holiness  and  truth, 
because  of  the  suretyship  of  Jesus — the  righteousness  of  Jesus — 
the  atonement  of  Jesus — the  holmess  of  Jesus.  And  the  weakest, 
fcel)]est  member  in  the  faith  of  Christ,  possesseth  Jesus,  witli  all 
his  blessings,  as  man  and  mediator.  Hence  God  is  their  Father  : 
He  loveth  them  with  complacency  and  delight.  The  paternal  aflec- 
tions"  of  his  heart  yearn  over  them.  Children's  hearts  should  con- 
tinually be  drawn  out  to  their  Fatlicr  in  holy  affection,  fervent 
dcsii-es,  and  humble  confidence.  Notliing  doubting,  but  gathering 
all  cot  fulencc  of  hope,  as  being  taught  by  Jesus,  «'  In  whom  we 
have  holdntBS  and  acceess  with  confidence  by  tlie  fcuUi  of  him," 
Epti.iii.  12. 

Lord  J  .n'l(»ms  ti.y  hrnv'nly  throne  ;  Tlu-ic  hJ.<  fl  thy  choicest  loves  already 
Callnicaihill  nf  iliinr;  And  ni;ikc  my  comforts  strong  ; 

Send  down  the  Si.iiit  of  thy  Ron  'flKn  sliall  1  sriy,  My  Fatlier,  Go^ 
To  form  lay  soul  tUviuo.  W  illi  un  nnway'riug  to«su«r 


JANUARY  28.  41 

Ye  have  need  of  patience ;  that  after  ye  have  dotie  the  will 
of  God,  ye  might  receive  the  promise. — Htb.  x.  36. 

Are  the  chiistiun's  exercises  great,  and  his  patience  small  ? 
Yet  can  he  ever  be  at  a  loss  to  know  by  whom  this  giiicc  is  increased  ? 
Veiily  die  Lord  he  servetli  is  "  the  God  of  patience,"  Rom.  xv.  5. 
Hath  he  need  of  patience  ?  Hear  the  Comforter's  declaration,  by 
St.  Paul :  "  My  God  shall  supply  ail  your  need,  according  to  his 
riches  in  glory  "  Mind,  discipie,  this  is  covenant  mercy ;  there- 
fore, with  every  other  grace  it  comes  through  a  Mediator :  hence 
it  is  added,  "  by  Jesus  Christ,"  Phil.  iv.  19.  «  We  do  the  will  of 
God  when  we  believe  on  the  name  of  his  Son  Jesus,  and  love  one 
another,"  I  John  iii.  23  "  And  all  the  promises  are  in  Christ 
Jesus,  yea  and  amen,"  sure  and  certain  to  evei  y  believing  soul.  "  By 
Lith  we  hi.ve  the  eaniest  of  eternal  life."  "  Ilavuig  received  the 
first  fruits,  the  harvest  shall  follow  in  due  season."  But  there  are 
m:iny  conflicts  to  be  engaged  in,  a  great  sight  of  afflictions  to  be  en- 
dured on  earth,  before  we  sh.Jl  be  crowned  in  glory  ;  therefore,  pa- 
tience is  necessa'  y.  Pctience  must  h-.ve  its  perfect  work.  By  faith 
we  stand — by  patience  we  ei.dure.  Believing,  we  look  forward  in 
hope  ;  this  brings  p.lience  in  sufferings. 

But  Sataa  has  a  very  poign<.ait  dart,  which  he  dared  to  cast  at  Jesus; 
no  marvel  that  he  shoots  it  against  us  also — "  If  tliOU  be  the  Son  of 
God,!'  why  doth  thy  loving  Father  suffer  such  distress  and  afiiiction 
to  fall  on  thee?  Faith  can  answer.  All  is  my  F..  her's  will:  Ail  is 
from  his  love — all  shall  be  to  his  glory  ;  and  all  shall  be  for  the  good 
and  proP.t  of  my  soul.  I  cannot  doubt  his  love — I  dare  not  murmur 
against  his  dispensations — I  desire  patience  uader  all — 1  will  not  cast 
uway  my  coi  fi  lence — time  is  short — sufferings  are  but  for  a  mo- 
ment— eternity  is  near — afflictions  are  not  worthy  to  be  compared 
with  the  glory  that  shall  be  revealed  in  us.  "  Through  Jesus,  we 
have  access  Iiy  faith  into  this  grace  wherein  we  stand,  and  rejoice  in 
hope  of  the  glory  of  God."  "  We  glory  in  triluilation,  knowing 
that  tribulation  worketh  patience,"  Rom  vi.  2,  3.  "  Yet  a  Utile 
while,  and  he  that  shall  come  will  come,  smd  will  not  tarry.  Now 
the  just  shall  live  by  faith,"  Heb.  x.  37,  38.  Christ  accomplishcth 
the  most  glorious  things  in  us  by  degrees.  Patience  must  endure 
the  whole  military  exercise.  It  is  as  necessary  as  faith  to  the  enjoy- 
ment of  the  promised  inheritance.  "  Through  faith  anc.  patience  we 
shall  inherit  the  promises,"  Hob.  vi.    12. 

■•Tis  Hod  that  lifts  our  comforts  liigli.  If  smiling;  mercy  crown  our  lives. 
Or  sinks  them  to  the  grave  ;  Its  praises  shall  be  sjircad  ; 

Ue  gives,  arnl  (Wesscil  be  hisnamc)  And  we'll  adore  the  justice  too 
He  takes  hut  what  he  gave-  That  strikes  our  comforts  dciwJ. 


4S  JANUARY  29. 

He  tJiathclievethon  him,  is  not  condemned. — John  iii.  8. 

Dost  tliou  believe  on  the  Son  of  God  ?  is  Uic  most  important 
question  in  tiie  world.  Faith  in  Jesus  is  the  "one  thmg  needful." 
Witliout  this  the  day  of  life  is  a  state  of  sin  and  condemnation. 
The  night  of  death,  full  of  terror;  and  the  day  of  judgment,  most 
dreadful.  It  cannot  be  otherwise.  As  we  are  all  malefactors,  under 
the  sentence  of  the  law,  the  thoughts  of  execution  must  be  most 
alarming.  But  '  what  the  eye  doth  not  sec,  the  heart  doth  not  rue.* 
Sinnaturally  blinds  men's  eyes,  hardens  their  hearts  ;  and  vain  self- 
righteous  hopes  deceive  their  souls  into  an  insensibility  of  their 
undone  state. 

What  a  special  mercy  to  know  one's  selfl  what  distinguishing 
grace  to  know  Jesus  !  wjiat  peculiar  favor  to  know  one  is  delivered 
from  condemnation  by  hhn  !  This  is  the  joyful  privilege  of  every 
believer.  Though  the  law  condemns  him  as  a  transgressor,  yet  God 
dotli  not  impute  sin,  butimputeth  righteousness  unto  him  :  a  righte- 
ousness which  is  equivalent  to  every  denuuid  of  the  law  ;  even  the 
perfect  righteousness  of  the  ever-blessed  man  and  mediator  Jesus, 
our  brother,  our  surety  in  the  flesh.  Therefore  we  arc  not  con- 
demned. 

Sin  cannot  condemn  us  ;  it  is  all  atoned  for  by  the  blood  of  Jesus. 
Tlic  law  cannot  condemn  us  ;  that  is  satisfied  :  yea  more,  it  is  mag- 
nified and  made  honourable  by  the  obedience  of  the  God-maii  Jesus, 
more  so  than  it  could  have  been  by  all  the  obedience  of  a  world  of 
innocent  spotless  saints,  or  of  the  whole  company  of  the  heavenly 
host  of  angels  and  archangels.  Tlie  justice  of  God  cannot  con- 
demn us :  for  what  charge  can  the  strictest  justice  bring  against 
a  righteous  person  ?  God's  faithfuh^.ess  and  truth  cannot  condemn, 
tlicy  ari;  engaged  in  the  behalf  of  the  righteous.  "  God  is  faithful 
and  just  to  forgive  us  ;"  and  his  love  and  m.ercy  embrace  such  on 
every  side  ;  for  the  rii^hteous  Lord  lovetli  righteousness. 

Lo,  thus  is  the  man  blessed  that  believeth  in  Jesus  ;  Righteous  in 
Christ,  liueugh  faith  ;  yet  not  faith,  but  Jesus  is  his  righteousness. 
By  faith  he  ever  glories  in  Jesus  as  his  all  in  all.  He  tliat  abides 
in  Jesus,  enjoys — what  ?  perfect  freedom  from  the  being  of  sm  ? 
No.  But  this  blessedness,  perfect  freedom  from  all  condemnation 
for  sin.  He  brings  forth  fruit  to  the  glory  of  God  ;  he  is  an  heir  of 
"the  inheritance  among  them,  who  are  siuictificd  by  the  fidih  whicli 
isiiWesus,"  Acts  xxvi.    la. 

M'liat  t'.ioii  hast  spoken  in  thy  vonl,  ^\^lo  sli.-iU  con<k-mii  ?  Faitli  boMlv  cries, 

Appl)  unto  my  conscience,  Lord  ;  I  Imve  :i  tVieiid  Ik  yoiul  ihe  skies  : 

TliHllaitli  uiiiyeeho  buck  the  soiind^  Itlsatari,  sin,  and  l:\u  liesel, 

And  luve,  uud  joy,  iiud  pcjcc  ab'^und.  !My  surely  dotli  Tioni  ail  aciiuif.  ,     IVf. 


JANUARY  SO.  43 

The  xvicked  flee  vjhen  7io  man  pursiieth;  hut  the  righteous 
are  bold  as  a  lion. — Prov.  xxviii.  I. 

Watchful  arid  bold,  is  the  christian's  motto.  Wiitchful  to 
avoid  sin  ;  bold,  to  resist  the  enemies  of  his  soul.  For  he  is  engaged 
in  a  righteous  cause,  animated  by  righteous  hopes,  made  righteous 
by  a  righteous  Lord  ;  from  whom  he  derives  all  his  strength  and 
courage.  «  In  Jehovali  (Jesus)  have  I  righteousness  and  strength," 
Isa.  xlv.  24.  This  is  the  glorying  of  his  soul.  Not  his  own 
inherent  strength)  nor  his  own  personal  righteousness,  are  the  cause 
of  his  fortitude,  but  the  arm  of  Jehovah  is  liis  shield,  and  the  perfect 
righteousness  of  Jesus  is  hisj  breast-plalc  of  dcfen9i^^  against  every 
enemy.  Being  cleansed  from  guilt  by  the  blood  of  Jesus,  and 
clothed  with  his  righteousness,  by  faith  the  soul  experiences  a 
holy  boldness  at  a  throne  of  grace — Lippeals  against  the  fury  of  the 
enemy  and  oppressor — and  finds  supplies  of  strength  in  every  time 
of  need.  This  is  the  life  of  fiiith.  So  believers  grow  strong  (not 
in  conceit  of  what  they  are  in  themselves,  but)  "  strong  in  the  grace 
which  is  in  Christ  Jesus — strong  in  the  Lord,  and  m  the  power  of  his 
might." 

Thus  righteousness  inspires  with  courage  and  boldness.  Such  is 
the  comfort  of  faithful  souls.  A'll  the  glory  is  due  to  Jesus,  from 
whom  the  Spirit  of  love,  power,  luid  of  a  sound  mind,  is  given 
unto  his  righteous  children.  The  action  of  Joseph  of  Arimathea,  is 
recorded  with  an  emphasis  upon  his  courage  :  "  He  went  in  boldly 
to  Pilate,  and  craved  the  body  of  Jesus,"  Mark  xv.  43.  Here 
was  boldness  in  the  midst  of  danger — an  act  of  faidi,  in  the  face  of 
foes — a  token  of  love,  without  fear  or  shame  of  the  greatest  ene- 
mies to  Jesus.     But  "  he  was  waiting  for  the  kingdom  of  God." 

"  The  boldness  of  Peter  and  John  astonished  tiie  Jewish  sanhe- 
drim, who  took  knowledge  of  them,  that  they  had  been  with  Jesus,'* 
Acts  iv.  1  3.  Have  we  been  with  Jesus,  in  the  f;uth  of  our  souls  ? 
Are  we  waiting  for  tlie  coming  of  his  kingdom  ?  Shall  we  then  be 
afraid  of  the  worms  of  the  earth  ?  ashamed  of  our  Miister,  his  cross, 
or  his  ways  ?  Forbid  it.  Lord  !  inspire  our  souls  with  boldness,  that 
with  David  we  may  triumph  :  I'he  Lord  is  my  light  and  iny  salva- 
tion, whom  shall  I  fear  ?  the  Lord  is  the  strength  of  my  life,  of 
whom  shall  I  be  afraid  ?  Though  an  host  shall  encamp  against  mc, 
mine  heart  shall  not  fear ;  tliough  war  should  rise  agairist  me,  in 
this  will  I  be  confident,"  Psalm  xxvii.    1,  3. 

Is  .Icsiis  my  almighty  king  ?  This  makes  me  bolj  before  his  throne. 

Doth  he  forl)ifl  my  feaj-  ?  Yea  bold  my  foes  to  face  ; 

What  toes  shall  \)!it  my  soul  to  8i^t  :  1  flee  to  Christ — Lord,  make  me  stand, 

Hisrightconsnejsl  yvtaf.  P!y  fJirBC  fllmighly  gra<f .                 M. 


44  JANUARY  31. 

Christ's  house  are  we.  if  we  holdfast  the  confidence,  and 
the  rejoicir.g  of  the  hope  firm  unto  the  end. — Heb.  iii.  6. 

Thk  tabernacle,  with  its  furniture — the  ark  of  the  covenant— 
the  institution  of  sacrifices,  &c.  were  appointed  by  Jehovuh  to  shew 
the  nature  of  his  house — to  tipify  God's  dwelling  in  the  human  na- 
ture of  Jesus his  sacrifice  for  and  special  presence  with  the  house- 
hold of  faith.  David  asks,  "  Lord,  who  shall  dwell  witli  thee  V* 
Fsalm  XV.  1 .  The  answer  is.  Only  those  whose  hearts  are  furnished 
with  the  g-races  of  Jesus,  and  whose  lives  evidence  it. 

It  bespeaks  a  person's  propriety  of  and  delight  of  residence  in  a 
house,  when  he  adorns  and  furnishes  it..  This  Jesus  doth  by  the 
hearts  of  all  his  members.  He  is  our  brother  in  flesh.  He  complies 
with  his  own  command.  When  thou  lettest  a  servant  go  free,  "  thou 
Shalt  furnish  him  liberally,"  Deut.  xv.  14.  Out  of  the  fulness  of 
Jesus,  most  liberally,  his  members  receive  grace  for  grace.  Hence 
they  have  the  confidence  of  faith,  the  rejoicing  of  hope. 

But  why  doth  the  apostle  put  an  if  here  ?  Is  it  to  weaken  our  con- 
fidence and  damp  our  joys,  as  though  Jesus  was  not  faithful  to  us  ? 
or  that  our  own  efforts  could  make  salvation  more  secure  than  his 
blood  and  righteousness  have  ?  Is  it  to  keep  us  always  in  a  state  of 
diffidence  and  uncertainty  ?  Far  from  it ;  this  would  counteract  the 
grace  of  Jesus,  weaken  faith  and  hope  in  him,  and  strengthen  the 
pride  and  vain  glory  of  us  sinners,  as  though  Jesus  was  the  founda- 
tion, but  our  own  arm,  our  own  fiuthfulness  was  to  ndse  the  super- 
structure, and  bring  forth  the  head-stone  of  salvation  witli  shout- 
ings, not  of  grace,  grace  to  him;  but  glory,  glory  to  us.  Most 
detestable  thought ! 

We  are  assured  that  all  those  whose  names  are  written  in  the 
Lamb's  book  of  life,  shall  enter  into  his  glory.  Rev.  xxi.  27.  There 
arc  no  Ifs,  no  doubt  of  this.  But  who  is  of  that  happy  number? 
This  we  can  only  know  by  the  Spirit  given  unto  us,  whereby  we 
elcavc  unto  Jesus,  in  heart,  and  affecfion,  as  our  only  hope  ;  re- 
nounce both  the  righteousness  and  sinfulness  of  the  flesh,  and  con- 
tinue to  hold  fast  and  persevere  in  the  faith  of  the  gospel ;  «  and 
walk  worthy  of  tlie  vocation  wherewith  we  are  called,"  Eph.  iv.  1. 
"  Wherefore,  brethren,  give  diligence  to  make  your  calling  and 
election  sure ;  fur  rf  ye  do  these  things,  yc  shall  never  fall,"' 
2  P^t.  i.  10. 

Hold  r:ut  your  trust,  ret.iin  your  hope,        All  of  thy  luiiise  sliall  persevere, 
III  siiitc  of  Satan  anil  of  sin  ;  Tlicy  of  thy  fulness  shall  partake  : 

Thus  honor  Christ  your  Sftviour's  won].     Thy  word  is  li  y'<I,  thy  piomise  sure, 
Till  rt)u  his  glorious  kingdom  win.  Tiiou,    Lord,     tliine   pwu   wilt   nc'cF 

forsake.  -      M. 


I 


FEBRUARY  1.  45 

Sanctify  the  Lord  of  hosts  himself  and  let  him  he  your 
feary  and  let  him  be  your  dread. — Isa.  viii.  13. 

In  consequence  of  a  blessed  union  between  Jesus  and  his  believ- 
ing members,  the  word  discovers  the  sweet  concord  and  delight 
that  mutually  subsists  in  the  heart  tq  each  other*  Thus  of  old  it 
is  declared,  "  The  Lord's  portion  is  his  people,"  Deut.  xxxii.  9. 
And  the  church  claims  Jesus  under  the  same  appellation  ,  "  The  Lord 
is  my  portion,  saith  my  soul,"  Lam.  iii.  24.  "  Ye  shall  be  to  me  a 
holy  nation,"  Exod.  xix.  6.  "  I  will  dwell  in  them,  and  walk  in 
them,"  saith  our  gracious  Immanucl.  Therefore,  such  highly 
favored  souls  are  called  to  the  most  special  and  peculiar  service  on 
earth  ere  they  attain  the  perfect  enjoyment  of  Jesus  in  glory.  What 
more  exalted  pitch  of  honor,  than  for  creatures  of  a  day  to  sanctify 
the  Lord  of  the  heavenly  hosts,  the  Lord  of  the  armies  of  the  whole 
earth  ? 

Is  Jesus  the  Lord  thy  God  ?  worship  thou  him  ;  give  him  the 
glory  due  unto  his  name.  The  heart  is  his  temple  ;  there  sanctify 
thy  Lord.  Separate  every  idol  of  self-righteousness,  every  vain 
pretension,  every  boasted  plea  for  mercy,  but  what  is  in  Jesus,  and 
flows  through  him.  Spurn  from  thee  all  tilings  else  as  detestable, 
that  would  rival  Jesus,  detract  from  his  glory,  or  cast  a  veil  over 
his  finished  salvation,  by  the  life  of  his  obedience,  and  the  blood  of 
his  atonement. 

"  Rejoice  in  the  Lord  always,  and  again  I  say  rejoice,"  Phil.  iv.  4 
— but  rejoice  with  trembling  ;  for  the  Lord  our  God  is  a  holy  God. 
Fear  his  frown,  dread  his  displeasure,  stand  in  awe  of  his  majesty 
daily.  The  righteousness,  the  peace,  the  joy  of  tlie  soul  is  from 
him  ;  therefore  thy  heart  should  be  e^ver  towards  him — thy  eye 
looking  up  to  him — thy  affections  placed  upon  him — thy  hands  la- 
bouring to  work  those  things  which  are  well-pleasing  in  his  sight— 
and  Ihy  feet  running  the  way  of  his  commandments  with  delight. 
But,  who  is  sufficient  for  these  things  ?  From  daily  experience  we 
are  constrained  to  confess,  "  when  I  would  do  good,  evil  is  present 
with  me."  Tlus  is  humbling,  but  not  discouraging.  Thy  Master 
knows  thy  compound  stale — the  desire  to  good  is  from-him — the  evil 
from  thyself.  Inspired  Paul  is  upon  a  level  with  the  weakest  belie- 
ver, alike  naturally  prone  to  evil,  destitute  of  inherent  power ;,  but 
yet  saith  he,  "  I  can  do  all  things  through  Christ,  who  strcngthen- 
cth  me,"  Phil.  iv.  I  3  This  is  the  daily  exercise  of  faith,  to  oppose 
Christ's  righteousness  to  the  feeling  of  sin  ;  the  sanctification  of  the 
Spirit  to  every  lust :  the  strength  of  Jehovah  to  the  weakness  of  na- 
ture. For  this  is  the  hope,  the  joy,  the  triumph  of  every  believer, 
"  In  the  Lord  shall  all  the  seed  of  Israel  be  justified,  and  shall  glory," 
Isa.  xlv.  2;). 

Vol..  I.  F 


46  FEBRUARY  2. 

Dearlif  helnved.  T  heaecrh  you  as  stran^^ers  and  pilgrim  s^^ 
abstain  froni  fieshltj  lusts,  which  war  against  the  soul, 
—  I  Pet.  ii.  11. 
The  soul  of  every  disciple  of  Jesus  is  most  dearly  beloved  by 
the  holy  Trinity.  It  is  u  precious  jewel  m  the  eyes  of  ttie  lovbg  Fa- 
tl'>  I-,  the  redeeming  Son,  ^nd  the  sanctifying  Spirit;  who  all  unite 
to  make  it  liuppy.  But  it  hath  a  world  of  enemies.  Yea,  it  is  at  pie- 
sint  in  the  closest  and  nearest  relation  to  one  of  its  greatest  foes,  the 
fl.  sh  ;  the  lust  and  desires  of  which  are  at  continual  war  against  the 
pe..ce,  comfort,  aud  welfare  of  the  soul.  '1  h  i efoie,  O  christian, 
thy  best  friend  sounds  aii  alarm  of  iove,  gives  tnee  a  dcLortt^tion  of 
kindness  :  "  Abstain  from  fleshly  lusts."  He  knows  what  gieut 
hurt  compliance  with  and  indulgence  m  them  will  do  thee  ;  thou  v  lit 
surely  smart  and  be  sorely  grieved  for  it.  Destroy  hee,  thty  shall 
not ;  but  distress  thee,  like  the  prev^ilings  of  a  bitter  enemy,  ihcy 
will.  Consider,  beloved  christians,  we  are  stnjigers  and  pilgrims, 
sojourning  and  p.  ssing  through  a  strange  hjid  and  foreign  country  ; 
our  clothing  is.  Christ  and  his  righteousness  ;  our  food,  Christ  and 
his  fulness  :  our  st..ff,  Christ  and  liis  promises  ;  oui  rule,  the  word 
of  Ciirist;  our  guide,  the  Spirit  of  Cniist;  the  pi..ce  whither  we  are 
bound,  is  heaven,  a  better  country,  our  father's  house,  the  inherit- 
ance of  our  friends  and  brethren. 

Settle  this  in  your  minds.  Meditate  daily  on  your  calling,  your 
hope,  your  heaven,  where  your  treasure  is.  Where  shcuid  your 
affections  and  dcliglit  be  ?  Not  on  earth,  this  isi.ot  y(,ur  rest,  it  is 
polluted  ;  not  in  the  flesh,  tliis  is  to  be  denied,  its  moiions  abstained 
from,  its  lusts  and  affections  crucified  daily.  Ki.ow  the  flesh  as 
thine  enemy,  treat  it  as  such,  keep  it  under;  in  it  "  dwells  no  good 
thing" — its  lustings  and  desires  car.not  but  be  evil  continuuliy— . 
they  will  never  cease  to  oppose  the  spirit,  the  life  and  Jibtrty  of  thy 
soul ;  they  „rc  ever  at  War  against  the  pL.,ce,  consoLtion,  ai;d  joy, 
wiiicli  is  in  Christ  Jesus.  Daily  victory  is  joyiul  triun.ph.  There- 
fore ever  consider  the  need  of  following  tiiis  advice  :  *'  Put  on  the 
whole  armour  of  God,"  Eph.  vi.  11.  Feeling  foes  within,  and  be- 
ing at  war  a;,'  vinst  them,  is  a  sure  evider.ce  of  a  gobd  soldier  of  Jesus 
Christ.     "  Fight  the  good  fight  of  faith." 

This  life's  a  dream,  an  cmptv  sJiow ;  Aid  flesh  and  sin  no  more  controul 

niitM.o  Lright  world  to  «  hith  T  go,  The  sacred  pleasures  of  the  soul. 

Hath  joys  suhHtantial  and  sincere  : 

When  shall  I  wake  and  find  me  there  ?        My  flesh  shall  slumber  in  the  g^ronnd. 
Till  the  last  trumpet's  jovfiil  sound  ; 

0  Kdorious  hour  \  O  hlest  ahode  !  Tl.en  hurst  the  chains,  'will,   sweet  sin- 

1  shall  be  near  and  like  my  JJod,  Aud  in  my  Saviour's  image  rise,     [prise. 


FEBRUARY  3.  47 

Who  cnn  ynrlfrstfarnf  his;  n'rors  ?  Cleanse  thou  me  from  my 
secret  faults  Keep  hack  thij  S'^rvant  aLo  from  pre- 
sumptuous sins:  let  them  not  have dommion  over  trie. — 
Paalm  xix.    12,  13. 

As  faith  gives  a  holy  boldness  at  the  throne  of  grace,  so  the 
regenerate  soul  is  open  and  ingenious  in  confession  ol  sni.  Wiicn 
sui  is  dethroHcd  in  the  heart,  its  errors  are  its  conccn.s  ;  the  n,ost 
secret  f.>ults  how  it  in  humility  before  the  L.mb.  To  his  preeuais 
blood  the  believer  has  recourse  for  cleansing  ;  he  Iv.s  dJly  need  ot  it. 
He  cannot  uiiderstand  all  his  errors.  M.n.y  secret  f.  uils  cleave  ui.to 
him.  He  is  sensible  tliat  even  these  must  be  washed  away,  lest  tl.ey 
d.file  his  conscience,  and  spread  a  cloud  over  his  mind.  Jt  is  the 
pxuliar  wisdom  of  disciples,  not  only  to  observe  the  bud,  blossom, 
and  fruit  of  sin,  but  also  to  consider  the  evil  root,  the  polluted  na- 
ture from  which  it  springs.  Here  is  the  exercise  of  w.tciiiuuiess. 
This  calls  for  their  daily  prayer  to  be  kept  by  the  power  of  God.  - 

H-.ppy  souls!  who,  under  a  sense  of  peace  through  the  blood  of 
Jesus,  are  daily  praying  to  be  kept  by  the  grace  of  the  Spirit.  Such 
truly  know  themselves — see  their  danger  oi  f..lliiig — will  r.ot,  d..re 
not  palliate  or  lessen  the  odious  nature  and  hateful  defornaty  of  their 
sin.  ■)  hey  will  not  give  a  softer  name  to  sin  than  it  deserves,  lest 
they  depreciate  the  infinite  value  of  that  precious  biood  which  Jesus 
shed  to  atone  its  guilt.  Far  will  they  be  from  fluttering  theniselves 
into  a  deceitful  notion  that  they  arc  peifect,  and  huve  no  sin  in  tl.cm. 
The  Spii-it  of  truth  del'vers  them  from  such  errors — he  teachcth 
them  js  poor  sinners  to  look  to  the  Saviour,  and  to  beseech  him  to 
keep  b.ck  the  headstrong  passions,  the  unruly  lusts,  and  evil  cou- 
cupiscences  which  dwell  in  their  sinfifl  mauies.  rvh^s  1  the  n  ost 
exalted  Scint,  the  most  established  believer,  it  kit  to  iiiniseif,  i.ow 
soon  might  the  blackest  crimes,  the  most  presunipiuous  sir.s,  get 
the  dominion  over  him  ?  D..vid  had  woful  experience  ol  Uus  lor  a 
season.  Fie  prays  from  a  heartfelt  sense  of  p-st  n.isery,  yi.d  the 
drr-ad  of  future  danger.  And  he  found  the  blessing  of  that  covei!..nt- 
promise  :  t)  believer,  may  it  be  the  exercise  of  tiiy  fJthcLaiy  lo  i.ve 
upon  it,  diiily  to  plead  it  before  thy  Saviour  1  •'  Sin  shJl  not  h.ve 
dominion  over  yo\i  ;  for  ye  are  not  under  the  law,  but  under  giace," 
Rom.  vi.  14.  Why  shall  not  sin  lord  it  over  the  conscience  of  a 
believer  ?  Truly,  because  the  grace  of  Jesus  reigns  for  him,  i^nd 
within  him.  For  he  saith,  "I  will  put  my  fear  in  their  hearts,  that 
they  shall  not  depart  from  me,"  Jer.   xxxii.  40 

O  wlio  can  ever  find  Warn  me  of  ev'ry  sin, 

Thci-rr-orsofhis  wavs?  Forgive  my  setrctiaiiKs, 

Yet  Willi  a  bolfl  presumptuous  miad  And  cleanse  iliis  gaiily  soul  of  mine, 

I  would  not  dare  trahsgrese.  Whose  ciimcs  exceed  my  tliou^Ijts. 


48  FEBRUARY  4. 

If  ye  love  me.  keep  my  commandments.  And  1  will  pray 
the  Father,  and  he  shall  give  you  another  comforter^ 
that  he  may  abide  with  you  for  ever;  even  the  Spirit  of 
truth.'  -]o\-\\\x\\.   15,  Uc. 

Hk  wovild  be  u  traitor  and  a  rebel  who  should  dare  to  set  up  his 
standard  in  Entjland,  and  demand  allegiance  from  the  king's  sub- 
jects, and  require  obedience  to  his  commands,  who  had  no  right  to 
the  crown.  So  Jesus,  if  he  is  not  Kin[r  of  kings  and  Lord  of  lords 
—the  King  of  saints — the  living  and  true  God  ;  but  only  a  mere  man, 
a  Prophet  mighty  in  word  and  in  deed,  a  very  good  man,  who  taught 
the  best  morals,  and  set  us  a  good  example,  as  some  proud,  vain, 
ignorant  creatures  pretend  ;  verily,  if  this  were  all,  we,  christians, 
could  see  no  goodness  in  him.  But  he  would  be  a  bold  usuper 
agiiinst  the  one  eternal  Jehovah,  striving  to  alienate  the  affections 
of  tlic  heart,  and  the  obedience  of  the  life  from  God,  whom  ye  arc 
commanded  to  love  and  serve  only.  Therefore,  "  If  ye  love  me, 
keep  MY  commandments,"  saith  Jehovah  the  mighty  God,  \>y  the 
wonderful  man  Christ  Jesus.  Disciples  know  his  voice.  In  love, 
he  huth  done  all  things  for  their  salvation.  From  love,  he  requires 
all  of  them  in  duty.  Obedience  without  love  is  slavery  :  Love  with- 
out obedience  is  dissimulation.  In  keeping  his  commandments  tliere 
is  great  reward,  enjoyed  in  present  peace,  expected  in  future  hope  ; 
both  are  the  fruits  of  free  grace  and  unmerited  love,  and  secured  by 
precious  promises. 

While  others  might  hear  of  Jesus,  and  talk  of  the  miracles  Jesus 
.  wrouglit  in  the  days  of  his  flesh  ;  yet  those  disciples  only,  who  were 
obedient  to  his  call  and  followed  him,  saw  his  glory,  and  enjoyed 
the  comforts  of  his  presence.  So  the  closer  disciples  walk  with  Jesus 
in  love  and  obedience,  they  enjoy  more  of  the  comforts  of  faitli. 
And  liesides  tlie  gift  of  faith,  as  an  evidence,  they  shall  receive  the 
comforting  witness  of  their  being  the  children  of  God,  even  from 
tlie  Spirit  of  truth  ;  another  comforter,  who  shall  abide  with  them 
for  ever,  as  a  seal,  earnest,  and  pledge  of  their  future  glory  So 
Jesus  prays — so  the  Father  bestows — so  the  Spirit  applies  and  com- 
forts. Glory  be  to  the  ever-blessed  three,  who  thus  agree  in  one, 
and  bear  witness  on  earth  of  salvation,  to  the  comfort  and  joy  of  poor 
sinners.  Love  to  Jesus  is  the  spring  of  obedience.  Keeping  his 
conxTiandments,  is  the  way  i?;  which,  though  not  for  which  the 
Spii'it  comforts  our  hearts.  "  What  God  hath  joined  together,  let  yi& 
man  put  asunder,"  Matt.  xix.  G. 

llic  Cofl  of  inoicy  be  adorM,  To  praise  <he  Father  and  the  Son, 
Who  c-.ills  Dili-  souls  from  ileath.  And  Sp'iiit  (nil  divine) 

yiin  Navt;,s  by  his  rid.cmiiiR  word  The  one  in  three,  and  three  inm6, 

A.ntlncn-crvniingbrcMh.  •    T.ct  sniuts  andao-clsjou*. 


► 


FEBRUARY  5.  49 

Turn.  0  ye  backsliding  children  ;  for  I  am  married  to  you^ 
saith  the  Jjord — Jcr.  iii.   14. 

When  a  child  departs  from  an  indulgent  father,  or  a  wife  for- 
sakes an  :iffectionute  hushaiid,  they,  in  effect  say,  they  have  other 
objects  with  wlom  tliey  are  more  delighted,  and  from  whom  they 
expect  greater  huppiness.  O  backsliding  soul  !  is  such  thy  conduct 
tow;irds  tlie  best  of  Fathers,  the  most  affectionate  bridegroom  ?  Thy 
present  practice  loudly  speaks  this  langUc^ge,  '  I  have  other  lovers, 
and  after  them  I  will  go.'  Monsti'ous  ingratitude  !  a  child  of  special 
grace,  and  yet  fly  from  thy  most  loving  Father  !  a  spouse  of  the 
most  affectionate  bridegroom,  and  yet  be  unchaste  to  thy  rightful 
husband  1  Shocking  carriage  !  Vet,  O  soul,  hear  imd  wonder,  hear 
and  love,  love  and  be  ashamed,  be  ashamed  and  return ;  for,  mar- 
vellous grace  !  though  thou  hast  broken  thy  marriage  contract,  for- 
feited the  privileges  of  children,  yet  the  relation  continues.  "  I  am 
married  to  you,"  (children,  still,  notwithstanduig  all  their  un,kind 
carriage),  '<  saith  the  Lord."  Amazing  love  !  instead  of  '  I  will 
pursue  with  vengeance,  overtake  with  destruction,'  it  is,  <  I  intreat 
with  love,  expostulate  with  kindness,  invite  with  affection.' 

Who  are  thy  present  lovers  ?_  remember,  the  rivals  of  thy  Lord 
are  thy  greatest  foes,  and  seek  thy  present  misery  and  etcriml  de- 
struction. Dost  thou  "  live  after  the  flesh  ?"  have  Sattai's  wiles  and 
the  snares  of  the  world  prevailed  over  thee  ?  the  world,  the  flesh, 
and  the  devil  !  Poor  soul !  canst  thou  be  happy  in  their  friendship 
and  embraces  ?  O  no  !  thou  art  got  into  bad,  yea  the  worst  company. 
O  what  leanness  of  soul  is  brought  upon  thee  ?  Thy  love  to  Jesus  is 
grown  cold  ;  thy  faith  in  him  weak  ;  zeal  for  him  ar.d  his  truth  have 
forsaken  thee  ;  the  way  of  sin  and  folly  pleaseth  thee  ;  sweet  inter- 
course in  private  prayer  ;  communion  with  thy  God  in  public  ordi- 
nances, is  gone  ;  thou  neglectest  thy  duty  ;  ai't  grown  shy  of  tiiy 
Father  and  his  children.  But  still  thy  Father  calls,  tliy  husband 
wooes  thee  again  and  again  to  turn,  to  return.  Love,  the  bond  of 
relation,  never  alters  on  God's  part,  notwithstanding  base,  buck- 
sliding,  and  monstrous  ingratiude  on  thine.  Sj/ccial  grace  makes 
love-calls  effectual.  Such  shall  one  day  call  to  mind  "  the  love  of 
their  espousals  ;''  be  ashamed  and  confounded  for  all  they  have  done, 
and  take  up  this  language,  "  I  come  unto  thee,  for  thou  art  my 
Father.  I  will  go  and  return  unto  my  first  husband,  for  then  it  was 
better  with  me  than  now,"  Hos.  ii.  7. 

Better  !  yea,  best  of  all  those  times  Thy  Father  stands  with  open  air.ii  ; 

When  I  to  Jesus  cleavM  :  Thy  bii<logrooin  calls  in  love, 

Rvt-iirj  unto  thy  rest,  my  soul,  "  Return,  thou  wanirrin"  so-il.  to  me, 

Xo  lunger  be  deceiv'd.  "  AjicI  my  atfectjon'^  piovr  " 


m  FEBRUARY  6. 

Cometh  f/rif  hhstsrdnpss  tlvn  upon  the  circumcision  only, 
or  upon  the  iincircumcision  also  .^— Rom    iv.  9. 

«  Beu  AHE  lest  any  mnn  spoil  you  through  philosophy  and  vaiii 
deceit,  after  the  tri.ditions  of  men,  uftcr  the  rudinieuis  ot  the  world, 
and  not  after  Christ,"  Col.  ii.  8.  Why  this  caution  from  the  voice 
of  inspiration?  Our  daily  danger  mc.kes  it  expedient,  "lest  oXij 
man  beguile  you  of  your  reward.  Beware  of  men.  CiiU  r,o  man 
Rabbi,"  saith  thy  Lord,  lest  any  mun  judge  agauist  your  privileges, 
impair  your  comforts,  or  distress  your  mind. 

Here  is  every  blessing  to  make  poor  sinners  hi  ppy.  Righteous- 
ness imputed  withrut  works  ;  ii.i(juities.  forgiven,  and  sins  covered  ; 
sin  not  imputed.  This  trinity  of  blessings  flow  from  the  imity  of 
free  grace.  Such  blessedness  comrth^  free  as  tlie  iJr,  unmerited 
as  the  light,  comforting  as  the  sun  :  possessed  by  the  unworthy, 
enjoyed  by  the  ill-deserving,  sure  to  all  the  redeemed,  the  hicsiimuUy 
rich  privileges  of  every  believer  in  Jesus. 

Here  the  wise  God  and  Vdin  man  difltr  in  judgment.  Legal  hearts 
arc  ever  thinking  of  obtaining  a  righteousness  by  works,  and  purdon 
upon  conditions  :  but  God  imputes  a  righteousness  without  works, 
even  the  best  roljc.  None  but  untoward  children  find  haiit  with  tlie 
father's  gifts  ;  none  but  proud  children  object  to  the  lather's  cloth- 
ing. For  thy  righteousness,  even  if  perfect,  (J  soul,  is  at  best  but 
the  righteousness  of  a  creature  ;  but  Jesus'  righteousness  is  the 
righteousness  of  llie  God-man  j  infinite  in  value  like  his  precious 
hlood,  by  which  our  sins  are  atoned.  They  are  not  imputed  to  us, 
because  laid  upon  Jesus.  God  piirdons  them  in  justice  to  him. 
Christ  hath  performed  every  condition  for  us.  Faith  takes  its  views, 
M\Ci  forms  its  judgments  from  revealed  truths.  So  it  evidences  its 
divine  original.  'I  bus  it  gives  all  glory  to  God  ;  while  the  sense  of 
pardon  is  applied  to  the  soul  by  the  Spirit,  who  comforts  the  soul  in 
truth.  And  thus  a  living,  vital  union  is  preserved  between  Jesus 
and  his  members  through  f;iith.  From  a  joyful  sense  of  pardon,  love 
is  increased,  holiness  incited,  man  is  humbled,  Jesus  exalted,  free 
grace  glor-ed  in,  hope  encouraged,  slavish  fears  ejected,  and  the 
heavenly  inheritance  longed  for  as  a  free  gift  by  Jesus.  Thus  all  is 
of  God,  all  is  of  grace,  all  cometh  freely.  Even  eternal  life  is  the 
free  gift  of  God  by  Jesus  Christ,  who  suith,  "  Fear  not,  little  flockj 
it  is^our  Father's  good  pleasure  to  give  you  the  kingdom,"  Luke 
\ii.  32. 

^ii«l  (Intb  th'"  Lord  impute  no  sin  ?  Reject  tlioleg;,il  pr.ntc  of  those 

Art  tlioii  tli>jH  bit'sf  (-(I.^O  my  soul !  Who  make  God  debtor  to  tlieip  terms, 

%\>\\rn  urdxliif,  and  Kiitan's  wiles,  Who  strip  free  Rrnce  ofitsjust  due, 

Aud  let  them  not  thy  peace  controul.  And  rob  God's  glory  of  its  charms.   "SI. 


FEBRUARY  7.  51 

God  who  commanded  the  light  to  shine  out  of  darkness,  hath 
shined  into  our  hearts  to  i^ive  us  the  knowledge  of  the 
glory  of  God  in  the  person  of  Jesus  Christ. — 2Cor.iv.6. 

This  is  the  glorious  confession  of  fc.ith,  woilhy  to  be  wrote  in 
letters  of  gold,  unci  set  with  the  n\osl  precious  jcwtis,  i,nd  ever  to  be 
worn  as  the  believer's  ornament  and  gloi  y.  For  here  is  the  rich 
display  of  sovereign  grace,  and  the  glory  ol  aimighty  power,  in 
producing  light  in  the  hearts  of  sinners,  who  are  by  nature  i.ot  only 
in  the  dark,  but  even  darkness  itself.  The  knowiedge  of  Jesus  is 
commanded  by  the},  same  omnipotent  agent,  who  called  forth  light 
iii  the  beginnuig,  upon  this  dUrk  terraqueous  globe.  L-ight  gladdens 
tlie  whole  creation  of  nature  ;  and  this  spiritual  light  causeth  joy  in 
the  soul;  for  it  gives  the  knowledge  of  God's  glory.  In  what 
respect  ?  that  God  is  glorious  in  majesty  ?  O  this  strikes  us  with 
horror.  Glorious  in  power  ?  1  hat  fills  us  with  terror.  Glorious  in 
holiness  ?  This  causes  despair.  So  every  attribute  and  perfection 
of  Jehovali  would  sink  sinners  into  dread,  astonishment,  and  death. 
But  here  is  our  relief, '  It  is  the  knowledge  of  the  glory  of  God, 
in  t4ie  person  of  the  anointed  S.^viour.'  In  Am,  God's  glorious 
favor,  ctenicJ  love,  everlasting  counsel  of  peace,  covenant  of  grace, 
promises  of  mercy,  scheme  of  salvation,  shine  with  the  most  re- 
splendent lustre.  Hence  pardon,  love,  peace,  joy,  holiness,  hope, 
security,  heaven  in  pus  session,  glory  in  reversion  ;  all,  all  center  in 
the  person  of  Jesus  Thus  we  behold  the  glory  of  God.  God  in 
him.  This  is  the  only  comfortable  knowledge,  the  only  reviving 
experience  of  the  christian  heart.  And  here  we  see  how  inseparably- 
connected  God's  glory  and  his  people's  comforts  are  Each  leads 
to  the  other,  and  both  tend  to  lay  sinner's  low  in  humility,  and  sink 
them  to  nothing  before  a  sovereign,  gracious  Lord.  Could  a  dark 
chaos  contribute  any  thing  to  the  production  of  light  ?  Canst  thcu, 
O  worm  of  the  earth,  exert  u.y  power  to  cause  that  glorious 
luminary,  the  sun,  to  send  forth  its  reviving  beams  of  light  ?  No,  the 
first  is  l)y  the  command  of  the  sovereign  agent ;  the  Litter  acts  by  die 
laws  of  its  wise  Creator.  So  as  to  spiiiuud  light,  saving  ki.owledge, 
it  is  given  to  those  who  sought  it  iiot ;  it  is  made  manifest  to  them 
who  asked  not  afttr  it.  What  then  becomes  of  terms  and  conditions 
of  salvation?  O  thou  once  spiritually  blind  and  dead  soul,  if -God 
hath  commanded  the  light  and  knowledge  of  Jesus  in  thine  heart, 
all  boasting  is  excluded,  all  glorying  in  self  is  at  an  end.  Surely 
thou  wilt  say — Thine  is  the  power  ;  to  thee,  to  thee  alone,  Jehovah, 
be  all  the  glory  ! 

Now  be  tlie  Hod  of  Israel  l)lcssM,  He  makes  Lis  great  salvation  known  ; 

Who  makes  his  truth  appear  ;  By  Christ  he  pardons  sins  ; 

Ilis  mis;hlv  hand  fulfils  his  word.  While  sov'n.i;j:n  i!;racc  and  hcay'Mlv  l«ve 

And  idl  tlic  oaths  he  swar«.  hi  its  own  glorv  slunes 


5fi  FEBRUARY  8. 

JFho  hew^  the  brightness  of  his  glory,  and  the  express 
image  of  his  person,  and  upholding  all  things  by  the 
xvord  of  his  power,  when  he  had  by  Imn  self  purged  our 
sins,  sat  down  on  the  right  hand  of  the  Majesty  on 
high.—Heb.  i.  3. 

What  St.  Paul  says  of  the  resurrection  of  Jesus,  2  Cor.  xv, 
may,  with  equal  truth,  be  applied  to  his  divinity.  If  Jesus  be  not 
truly  and  essentially  the  self-existing  God,  «  all  preaching  is  vain  ; 
all  faith  is  vain  ;'  all  the  saints  of  God  must  perish  in  their  sins. 
But  we  have  not  so  learned  Christ,  if  so  be  we  have  heard  him,  and 
know  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.  His  eternal  power  and  Godhead 
angels  adore,  devils  tremble  at,  saints  rejoice  in,  and  only  poor, 
blinded,  proud  sinners  dare  cavil  against  and  deny. 

That  Jesus  is  both  Lord  and  God,  lies  ut  tlie  foundation  of  our 
faith.  That  he  uphold  all  things  by  the  word  of  his  power,  is  tlie 
joy  of  our  hearts.  That,  as  man,  he  hath  purged  our  sins,  causes 
all  our  hope  and  comfort.  That  he  is  entered  into  heaven  for  us, 
and  there  pleads  our  cause,  O  this  is  the  glory  of  our  souls.  For 
our  hope  entereth  into  that  within  the  veil.  There  Jesus  our  fore- 
runner is  fo7-  2is  entered.  On  this  rock  Christ's  church  is  built, 
and  neither  the  "  powers  of  earth  and  sin,  nor  the  gates  of  hell  shall 
prevail  against  it."  When  the  Spirit  brings  the  soul  up  to  Nebo, 
the  mount  of  prospect  and  prophecy,  it  has  glorious  views  of  the 
inheritance  ;  it  speaks  of  it ;  it  fructifies  ;  the  grace  of  faith,  hope, 
love,  peace,  and  joy,  abound  in  the  heart.  But,  alas  1  all  is  barren 
as  a  wilderness ;  unfruitful  as  a  desart,  while  sin  in  its  guilt  and 
punishment  is  not  known  and  believed  to  have  been  purged  by  the 
blood  of  Jesus.  This  is  the  only  physic  for  sin-sick  souls,  die  most 
reviving  cordial  for  drooping  spirits.  The  same  blood,  which  was 
all-sufficient  to  purge  away  sin  in  the  court  "of  heaven,  is  also  all- 
sufficient  to  cleanse  the  guilt  of  it  from  the  conscience.  Sweet  con- 
solation for  the  members  of  Jesus  !  Their  living  head,  in  his  human 
form,  is  at  the  right  hand  of  the  majesty  in  glory  ;  the  blessed  object 
to  whom  wc  are  ever  to  look,  through  whom  every  comfort  flows, 
and  on  whom  is  our  hope  in  every  soul-conflict  with  sin  and  Satan. 
This  is  the  reasoning  of  faith:  "If  when  we  were  enemies  we  were 
reconciled  to  God  by'the  death  of  his  Son,  ?mich  rmre,  beino-  recon- 
ciltitj,  we  shall  be  saved  by  his  life,"  Rom.  v.  10. 

Tlifi-c's  notio  ifin  know  tlic  Fntlicr  rigl.i    Then  lot  om- souls  adore  om- God, 
Bnt  il.ogf,  ^^],o  lenrn  it  from  tlu-  Son  ;  TJiat  deals  his  graces  as  ho  please, 

X»r  oaji  the  Son  be  well  l■ecci^^<l,  IS:,!,-  i^ives  to  mortals  i.n  account. 

Bat  whoro  tlic  FaUitr  uuikes  him  known.  Or  of  hi?  actions,  or  decrees. 


FEBRUARY  9.  6S 

Keep  yourselves  in  the  love  of  God, — Jude,  vcr.  21. 

The  love  of  God,  like  every  other  attribute  aiid  perfection  of 
Jehoviih,  is  "everlasting-  and  unchangeable  ;  even  as  the  essence  of 
God  himself.  This  love  is  manifested  to  his  people  in  Christ  Jesus ; 
he  is  the  object  in  whom  they  are  viewed  and  loved  by  the  Father. 
As  "Jesus  is  the  same  yesterday,  to-duy,  and  for  ever,"  so  is  God's 
love  towards  them.  Time,  with  all  its  concurring  circumstances, 
can  make  no  alteration  or  change,  increase  or  diminution  herein. 
But  as  to  tlie  sense  and  enjoyment  of  this  love,  the  word  of  truth 
and  experience  of  saints  plainly  testify  of  its  ebbing  and  flowing,  its 
fervor  and  abatement  in  the  soul.  Hence  the  necessity  of  those  ten= 
der  calls,  kind  warnings,  and  loving  counsels,  addressed  to  believers, 
in  the  word  of  truth  ;  because  they  are  ever  to  be  active  as  tlrose  who 
are  made  alive  to  God,  and  have  their  senses  exercised  to  discern 
between  good  and  evil.  Exhortations  excite  to  jealousy,  and  quicken 
to  diligence.  The  enjoyment  of  the  love  of  God  is  our  heaven 
below  ;  to  keep  ourselves  in  the  ht.ppy  sense  of  it,  is  our  highest 
privilege,  our  greatest  happiness.  Keep  ourselven  in  the  love  of 
God  I  Yes  :  How  ?  Use  every  means  which  love  commands  ;  avoid 
all  things  which  love  forbids.  Account  not  this  le^aL  Those  who 
do,  have  only  the  notion  of  love  'in  the  head,  but  are  strangers  to 
<he  constraints  of  love  in  the  heart. 

Wouldst  thou  ever  enjoy  love,  O Christian  ?  Be  much  in  meditation 
upon  it — think  daily,  constantly  of  that  unparalleled  instance  of  it, 
God  so  loved  the  world,  as  to  give  his  only  begotten  Son  Jesus  to  atone 
for  sin  by  his  precious  blood — to  justify  sinners  by  his  perfect  righte- 
ousness. Dost  tliou  know  this  by  the  gospel  ?  1  his  is  love  revealed. 
Dost  thou  believe  this  in  thine  heart  by  the  Spirit  ?  This  is  love 
felt  and  enjoyed.  All,  all  flows  from  (he  rich,  transcendantly  rich 
love  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus.  O  be  concerned  daily  to  keep  thy  soul 
in  and  under  a  lively  sense  of  this  love  ?  and  also  keep  thyself  by 
this  love  from  worldly  lusts,  carnal  indulgences,  and  sensual  gratifi- 
cations. These  are  forbidden  fruits;  thy  flesh  may  long  for  and  covet 
them,  but  by  the  love  of  God,  by  his  mercies  in  Christ  Jesus,  and 
for  thy  soul's  sake,  abstain  from  them.  Know  verily,  as  hurtful 
food  will  impair  the  health  of  thy  body  ;  so  these  things  as  certainly 
will  rob  thy  soul  of  its  peace — damp  the  warm  sense  of  God's  love, 
and  render  thee  cool,  indiff"erent,  and  lifeless,  to  the  love  of  God. 
Thus  saith  the  God  of  love,  «  Consider  your  ways,"  Hag.  i.  5. 

Aly  God,  permit  my  tongue  For  life  without  thy  love 

This  joy  to  csill  tliee  mine  ;  No  relish  cau  artbixl ; 

And  let  my  constant  cries  prevail  ^o  joy  can  be  comparM  with  this. 
To  taste  t]>y  love  divine.  To  serve  and  please  the  Lovd. 

Vot.  I;       '  G 


•54  FEBRUARY  10. 

The  path  of  the  just  is  as  the  shinmg  light,  which  shinetk 
more  and  more  unto  the  perfect  day. — Prov.  iv.  18. 

Since  the  fall  of  man,  there  is  no  other  way  of  being  made  just 
or  righteous,  but  by  the  righteousness  of  tine  mjin  Christ  Jesus.  Just 
Noah,  righteous  Lot,  meek  Moses,  faithful  Abraham,  patriarchs, 
prophets,  and  apostles,  all  were  sinners  in  themselves,  but  "  their 
righteousness  is  of  me,"  saith  Jehovah  Jesus,  Isa.  liv.  17.  Hence 
the  Lord  calls  his  people  righteous.  They  are  really  constituted  so 
in  his  sight.  This  truth  should  ever  dwell  in  our  minds.  It  is  the 
foundation  of  all  delight  in  God  and  love  to  him.  Hence  we  are  com- 
forted in  the  wayof  truth  and  holiness.  For  Jesus,  who  is  our  righte- 
ousness, is  also  our  light  to  direct  our  steps,  and  our  path  wherein 
we  walk.  He  is  the  "  light  of  the  world,  the  light  of  life."  "  I  am 
the  way,"  saith  Jesvis.  St.  Paul  exhorts,  "  As  ye  have  received  the 
Lord  Jesus,  so  walk  ye  in  him,"  Col.  ii.  6. 

Our  faith  in  Jesus,  is  no  new-fangled  doctrine,  but  the  same  as 
V  as  from  the  beginning.  Christians  are  not  loft  to  the  darkness  of 
nature  ;  they  are  not  led  by  sudden,  transient  flashes  of  light ;  but  by 
the  clear,  steady  shining  of  truth  upon  their  minds.  Their  walk,  in 
the  path  of  truth,  is  consistent  and  uniform. 

Like  the  dawning  light  of  the  morning,  the  light  of  truth  first 
breaks  in  upon  the  soul,  and  gradually  incrcascth  brighter  and  bright- 
er :  so  we  sec  more  clearly,  believe  more  strongly,  love  morefer- 
v^ently,  hope  more  steadily,  obey  more  delightfully,  and  long  more 
cheerfully  for  the  perfect  day.  Though  at  some,  seasons,  when  va- 
pours and  mists  of  nature's  corruption  arise,  and  the  night  of  afflic- 
tion and  desertion  overtakes  the  just,  upright  soul,  he  may  be  in 
fear,  lest  he  should  never  hold  out  and  see  the  perfect  day.  In  such 
seasons  he  is  too  apt  to  lend  his  ear  to  a  whisperer,  who  is  ever  ready 
to  dishearten  him.  What  with  his  corrupt  heart,  Satan's  suggestions, 
and  men's  false  doctrine,  he  is  thrust  sore  at.  He  may  fear,  lest  he 
should  fail  and  perish  for  ever  ;  but  God's  power  and  truth  will  sup- 
port him.    . 

If  the  comforting  Spirit  had  not  left  another  word  of  proof  in  the 
whole  bil)le  for  the  presevcrance  of  the  just,  this  one  is  sufficient. 
Wisdom  hath  spoken  it ;  nor  men  nor  devils  shall  reverse  it.  Every 
justified  soul  shall  enjoy  the  perfect  day  of  Jesus'  meridiiui  glory  and 
salvation  of  his  kingdom.  Till  then,  "  the  righteous  shall  hold  on  his 
Wajs  and  he  that  hath  clean  hands  shall  be  stronger  and  stronger," 
Job  xvii.  9. 

Hy  Riacc  I  see  Uie  sliiuing  path  O  blessed,' joyful,  perfect  day 
VVIiicli  It  ads  to  pcrffVt  Miss  ;  "Df  cidlcss  lisjlit  and  love  ! 

,Tr.siis,  iiiv  lif^lit,  my  lifi-,  my  wnv,  Press  on,  m\  soul,  nor  stay  thyxourse,. 
y^  iTl  bring  mc  uLere  he  js.  Till  tboii  dost  reign  above.  M.  , 


FEBRUARY  11.  55 

But  Jesus  answered  not  a  word  — Matt.  xv.  23. 

WuAT^!  not  a  word  from  the  compassionate  Saviour,  who  isr 
touched  with  a  feeling  of  our  infirmities  ?  is  he  deaf  to  the  cries, 
and  dumb  to  the  intreaties  of  a  distressed,  sorrowful  heart  ?  No;  love 
in  the  heart  has  always  an  open  ear  to  complaints,  a  ready  tongue  to 
speak  comfort,  and  a  kind  hand  to  relieve.  But  love  afflicts  to 
bring  his  children  to  him,  and  to  make  them  call  upon  him  :  he  for' 
bears  to  answer,  that  they  may  be  more  importunate.  God's  delays 
prove  faith's  vigor,  make  love  cling  closer,  prayer  more  fervent,  and 
patience  shine  brighter.  So  the  graces  of  God's  children  ai'e  drawn 
fcn-tii  into  lively  exercise,  and  are  made  manifest  that  they  are  wrought 
by  God.  Perseverance  obtains  the  blessing  in  due  time.  Jesus 
honors  and  applauds  the  grace  of  his  beloved  members  with,  '  O 
man,  O  woman,  great  is  thy  faith  1' 

Christ  knew  what  work  he  had  wrought  in  this  poor  humble  sup- 
plicant's heart,  whereby  she  knew  Jesus  to  be  Lord  and  God  ;  there- 
fore he  proved  her  and  tried  her,  that  her  faith  might  shine  bright 
to  his  glory  and  her  soul's  comfort.  As  she  possessed  the  same  faith, 
so  she  discovers  the  same  resolution  of  Job,  "  Though  he  slay  me, 
yet  will  I  trust  in  him."  And,  ^vith  Jacob,  she  would  wrestle  :  and 
her  heart  determined,  "  I  will  not  let  thee  go  except  thou  bless  me," 
Gen.  xxxii.  26.  But  the  silence  of  Jesus  was  very  disheartening. 
When  he  speaks,  it  is  quite  discouraging  Though  she  worshipped 
Iiim  and  sighed  out,  "  Lord,  help  me  ;"  yet  Jesus  seems  rather  to 
repulse  than  comfort  her.  But  true  faith  ever  sinks  the  soul  low  in 
humility,  while  it  clings  close  to  the  most  high  God.  The  soul  owns 
its  hateful  vileness  and  utter  unworthiness,  and  fixes  all  its  pica  upon 
free-grace  mercy  ;  all  its  hopes  upon  .Jesus  only.  Thus  Christ 
empties  whom  he  delights  to  fill.  He  makes  us  see  and  confess  our- 
selves to  be  dogs,  fit  only  to  feed  under  the  table,  though  he  loves 
us  as  children,  and  all  tliat  he  hath  is  ours,  by  free  gift,  precious 
promise,  and  rich  grace.  O  thou  poor,  fearing,  doubting  soul,  who 
hast  long  been  seeking,  Wcdting,  and  praying  for  comfort,  in  a  word 
or  look  from  Jesus,  take  courage  hence.  Ever  trust  in  him  who 
saitli,  "  I  have  satiated  the  weary  soul,  and  I  have  replenished  every 
sorrowful  soul,"  Jer.  xxxi.  25. 

My  spirit  looks  to  God  alone  :  Trust  hlrn,  ye  saints,  in  all  your  \^•ny.sJ 

i-  My  rock  and  refuge  is  Ills  throne  ;  Pour  out  your  heai-ts  before  his  face  ; 

f         In  all  my  fears,  in  all  my  straits,  When  helpers  fail,  and  foes  invadi". 

My  soul  on  lus  salvation  vaits.  God  is  oui'  all-safficicpt  aid 


56  FEBRUARY  12. 

And  experienee  xvorketh  hope. — Rom.  V.  4. 

WEdi-e  ever  to  consider  the  gospel  as  a  proclamation  of  grace 
to  rebels  ;  a  declaration  of  mercy  to  the  profligate  and  abandoned  ; 
glad  tidings  of  salvation  to  lost,  desperate,  hopeless  sinners.  It 
finds  the  soul  destitute  of  any  one  encouraging  symptom  :  it  brings 
all  hope  and  cncouiagement  with  it.  When  the  gospel  becomes  tlie 
"power  of  God  to  salvation"  to  any  sinner,  it  works  a  mighty 
change  in  his  state  and  practice.  In  the  sweet  experience,  proof, 
or  the  trial  of  this,  the  soul  is  comforted.  Hope  concerning  his 
state  is  confirmed.  Expeiience  worketh  hope  of  one's  own  interest 
in  Jesus,  and  salvation  by  him.  It  worjis  not  by  legal  terrors  and 
dreadful  horrors,  as  was  Judas  ;  nor  by  working  up  the  animal  pas- 
sions to  a  flash  of  joy,  just  as  the  stony  groimd  hearers  were  aft'ect- 
ed  by  the  word.  But  it  powerfully  enlightens  the  soul  to  see  the  evil 
of  sin,  and  the  infinite  preciousness  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  so  as  to  loath 
and  detest  the  former,  and  cleave  to  and  trust  alone  in  the  latter. 

Hence  Jesus  becomes  the  tried  stone,  the- sure  foimdation  of  the 
B'^ul.  Upon  the  finished  work  of  Jesus,  all  hope,  in  time  and  for 
eternity,  is  laid.  All  other  foundations  are  rejected  as  sandy ;  all 
other  hopes  as  vain.  Faith  in  God's  word,  relyir.g  on  his  promises 
in  Christ,  begets  resignation  to  his  will,  and  patience  under  his  dis- 
pensations, being  assured,  that  "  all  things  work  together  for  good 
to  them  who  love  God,  to  them  who  are  the  called  according  to  his 
purpose,"  Rom.  viii.  28 

We  first  experience  his  power  in  effectual  calling,  and  then  his 
love  in  keeping  us  close  to  himself,  and  obedient  to  his  will.  So  we 
enjoy  peace  from  him,  and  our  hearts  are  cheerfully  devoted  to  him. 
But  how  oft  doth  the  believing  soul  find  coolness  of  affection,  heavi- 
ness of  heart,  and  dejection  of  mind  ?  Doth  not  this  destroy  his 
hope  ?  No  :  even  this  experience,  sad  as  it  seems,  worketh  hope  : 
hereljy  pride  and  self-confidence  are  slain  ;  sin  embittered  ;  the  soul 
humbled  at  the  feet  of  Jesus,  with  'Thou,  even  tliou  alone  art  my 
hope.  I  dare  not  trust  in  any  other  ;  my  soul  shall  make  her  boast  of 
tlicc,  and  thee  only.' 

We  have  the  sentence  of  death  in  ourselves,  that  we  should  not 
trust  in  ourselves :  and  the  more  we  live  upon,  and  trust  in  the 
Loid,  so  shall  we  experience  hope  spring  up,  love  flourish,  and 
holiness  abound.  Praised  be  the  Lodr  our  God,  who  is  "  the  God 
of  hope,  and  who  fills  us  with  joy  and  peace  in  believing,  that  we 
may  abound  in  hope  through  tlie  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,"  Rom. 
JT.  13. 

J.,onf; <li(l  my  l.onl  in  ymtience  VRit,  Let  pntjence  prove  tliy  tried  woi-d, 

Till  I  leturnM  to  him,  AndtheieLj  hope  coiilJnn.  }!t|.. 


FEBRUARY   IS.  57 

Having  on  the  breast  plate  of  righteousness. — Eph.  vi.  14. 

When  ScAiI  hud  urnitd  Davkl,  with  his  uimour,  lo  go  against 
Goliah,  the  -Philistine  giur.t,  his  heurt  smote  him,  lest  lie  should 
confide  in  it,  and  so  be  druwu  from  simply  trusting  to  the  power  of 
God  only  ;  therefore  he-suid,  "  I  cannot  go  with  these  ;  I  have  not 
proved  thm  :  and  David  put  them  off  him,"  1  Sum.  xvii.  39.  A 
faithful  heart  is  jealous  of  the  Saviour's  glcry.  Though  the  believer 
is  made  righteous,  and  loves  and  walks  in  the  paths  of  righteousness, 
yet  he  w  ill  glory  in  nothing  before  God,  nor  trust  in  any  righteousness 
lo  shield  him  from  the  fiice  of  the  enemy,  but  the  peifect,  spotless 
righteousness  of  his  dear  and  precious  Saviour.  He  puts  off  all 
others,  by  tlie  faith  of  Christ,  as  contrary  to  his  hope..  As  he  sees 
the  purity  trd  extent  of  the  divine  law,  that  it  is  quick  and  powerful, 
and  is  adiscerner  of  the  thoughts  and  intents  of  the  heart,  knowing 
his  own  righteousness  to  be  defective,  and  that  in  many  things  we  all 
off.Mid  ;  therefore  he  could  just  as  soon  trust  an  honey-comb  for  a 
breust-plate,  as  the  moth-eaten  garment  of  his  own  best  works. 

Why  doth  Satan,  sin,  and  the  law,  so  often  wound  our  breasts, 
ancl  grieve  our  hearts  ?  It  is  because  w^e  arc  not  careful  tt>  guard 
with  our  breast-plate  of  Jesus'  I'ighteousness.  It  should  ever  be  the 
joy  and  rejoicing  of  our  souls  to 'consider  the  work  of  Jesus  as  man 
and  mediator.  Did  he  shed  his  blood  ?  did  he  die  a  cursed  death  ? 
did  he  in  his  holy  life  "put  on  righteousness  as  a  breast-plate?" 
Isa.  lix.  17.  Faith  triumphs  in  his  death,  as  the  one  atonement 
for  sin.  Faith  glories  in  his  life,  as  the  one  righteousness.  So  the 
once  guilty  soul  is  cleansed,  so  the  once  naked  soul  is  clothed  and 
adorned  ;  and  thus  it  is  ever  glorious  in  the  sight  of  God  in  this  best 
robe  of  its  elder  brother,  Jesus.  So  also  is  the  once  defenceless  soul 
armed  against  every  attack  of  sin,  Sutaw,  the  law  and  death.  This 
breast-plate  is  more  than  proof  against  all.  While  pride  and  self- 
righteousness  go  hand  in  hand,  and  unite  in  objections  against  the 
imputed  righteousness  of  our  Immanucl,  humble,  self-emptied  souls, 
glory  and  triumph  that  their  salvation  is  according  to  the  laws  of 
strict  justice  and  perfect  righteousness.  Possessing  righteousness 
in  Jesus,  we  draw  nigh  to  a  throne  of  grace  with  boldness  nov,',  and 
shall  lift  up  our  heads  with  joy  before  a  righteous  throne  of  jurlgniciii 
in  the  great  and  tremendous  day.  "For  righteousness  dclivcveth 
from  death,"  Prov.  x.  2.  «'  Though  sin  hath  reigned  unto  dcatli, 
(in  us)  yet  grace  reigns  through  righteousness  unto  eternal  life 
(for  us)  by  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord,"  Rom.  v  21. 

Jesu,  tliy  blood  and  righteousness  Then  while  I  am  thy  s-ohijer  "wc  f , 

Mv  hcauty  are,  my  glorious  dross  ;  O  learn  nic  more  this  hcav'.ily  art, 

Midst  flaming  worlds,  in  these  array'd,  To  gloiy  in  thy  ri-^hteousness. 

With  joy  shall  I  lift  up  my  Jj^atl.  To  guard  my  breast  from  ev'ry  dait.    M. 


58  FEBRUARY  14. 

But  now  the  righteousness  of  God  without  the  hiw,  is 
manifested,  being  ivitJiessed  by  the  law  and  the  pro- 
phets.— Rom.  iii-  21. 

«'  \'ain  man  would  be  wise,  though  man  be  born  like  a  wild 
ass' colt,"  Job  xi.  12.  Proud  man  would  be  righteous,  though 
conceiA-ed  in  iniquity,  brought  forth  in  sin,  and  no  goodness  in  him. 
This  pride  accompanies  him  all  his  days  ;  yea  it  forsukes  not  new- 
bom  souls.  Our  natural  notions  are  ever,  that  doing  something  will 
make  us  righteous.  So  the  judgment  of  the  flesh  ever  opposeth  the 
truth  of  the  Spirit.  Carnal  reason  ever  runs  counter  to  spiritual  laith. 
But  it  is  the  glory  of  believing  hearts  to.  take  their  views  of  righte- 
ousness from  revealed  truth.  This,  to  the  ineffable  joy  and  unspeak- 
able comfort  of  poor  sinners,  manifests  a  righteousness  for  tlieir 
garment,  which  they  toiled  not  for,  neither  did  they  spin.  And 
what  shall  we  say  of  it  ?  Truly,  Solomon,  in  all  his  glory,  yea, 
angels  in  all  their  brightest  perfection,  are  not  arrayed  like  those, 
who  are  clothed  with  the  righteousness  of  the  God-man,  Christ  Jesus. 
O  for  stronger  faith  in  this  ! 

Poor,  weak,  doubting  believer  !  Avhy  takest  thou  thought  for 
raiment  ?  hath  not  God  clothed  you  ?  "  O  thou  of  little  faith  1"  thou 
hopcst,  thou  trustcst  in  Jesus'  blood  alone  for  the  pardon  of  thy  sins, 
but  art  distressed  in  seeing  thyself  a  poor  sinner.  Thou  knowest 
thou  ai't  not  righteous  in  tlivsclf,  and  often  fearest  thou  shall  never 
atttun  righteousness,  and  perish  at  last  for  want  of  it.  Verily,  thy 
face  is  turned  towards  Mount  Sinai,  instead  of  ISIount  Calvary  ;  to 
ISIoscs,  instead  of  Jesus  ;  to  thy  life  of  obedience,  instead  of  his  life 
■  of  righteousness  ;  to  the  law  (^which  requires  all)  instead  of  the 
gospel,  whi(  h  freely  gives  all. 

So  suie  as  thou  hast  the  faith  of  Jesus  in  thine  heart,  thou  hast 
the  righteousness  of  Jesus  on  thy  back,  let  law,  men,  and  Satan  say 
what  they  will.  God  finds  his  children  naked,  he  clothes  them. 
Witnesses  arc  ever  at  hand.  Evidences  are  never  wanting  to  prove 
this  truth.  '  The  Spirit  of  truth  bears  infallible  testimony,  by  the  law 
and  the  prophets,  to  the  glory  of  this  righteousness.  Read,  be  joyful, 
and  give  all  glory  to  free  grace  for  its  free  iinputation  :  "  The  righ- 
teousness of  God,  which  is  by  faith  in  Jesus  Christ,  is  unto  all,  and 
upon  all  them  that  believe,  for  there  is  no  difference,"  ver.  22.  But 
who  enjoy  the  comfort  of  this  ?  Verily  no  soul,  till  he  is  brought  to 
say,  with  Paul,  "  I  through  the  law  am  dead  to  the  law,"    Gal.  ii.  19. 

Tn  vain  we  f sk  God's  tiglilcons  law  .Tcsus,  liow  glorious  is  thy  grace  ! 

T"  justify  tis  now,  Wlien  in  thy  name  \vc  trust, 

Since  to  convince,  iind  to  condemn,  Our  faith  receives  a  rii^hteotisness 

Is  all  (he  law  can  ifo.  That  makes  the  sjuiitv  just.      - 


FEBRUARY  15.  59 

Our  gospel  came  not  to  you  in  word  onli/y  but  also  in 
power  and  in  the  Holij  Ghost ^  and  in  much  assurance. — 
1  Thess.  i.  5.. 

Sin,  salvation,  death,  judgment,  eternity,  though  matters  of  the 
lughest  moment  and  utmost  importance  to  us,  yet  we  naturally  think 
of  them  with  little  concern,  speak  of  them  with  great  indiflerence, 
and  treat  the  consideration  of  them  as  Tclix  did  Paul,  «  Go  thy  way 
for  this  time  ;  when  I  have  a  convenient  season  I  will  s«nd  for  thee," 
Acts  xxiv.  25.  And  yet  perhaps  such  have  long  sat  under  a  preach- 
ed gospel ;  hugely  cry  up  and  upplaud  the  preacher,  and  are  ready 
to-  condemn  others  who  do  not  see  and  admire  the  excellency  of  the 
man  But,  alas  !  what  are  the  most  excellent  words  of  man  without 
the  power  of  the  Spirit  ?  Light  as  air,  ineffectual  to  soul-saving  pur- 
poses, as  sounding  brass  or  a  tinkling  cymbal. 

The  grand  question  is,  Have  I  inwardly  known  and  felt  the  power 
of  the  gospel  ?  Our  gospel  came  unto  you  not  in  word  only,  but  in 
power.  It  has  an  internal  voice  :  it  speaks  glad  tidings,  good  news 
of  life  and  salvation  to  the  very  soul :  it  is  the  word  of  power  to 
quicken  dead  souls  to  life  :  it  is  a  revelation  to  the  heait  of  pardon 
and  peace  by  Jesus.  Thus  it  brings  tlie  cleai'cst  evidence,  the  fullest 
assurance  along  with  it,  tliat  it  is  God's  word  of  life  and  salvation. 
The  Holy  Ghost  bears  witness  to  it,  in  power  and  demonstration. 
Blessed  souls  !  who  are  divinely  assured  of  the  truths  of  gospcl- 
gruce  and  love  by  Jesus  ;  who  embrace  tlie  gospel  as  their  only  hope, 
and  flee  and  cleave  to  Jesus  as  their  only  refuge.  But  more  blessed, 
yea  most  happy  those  believing  souls  who  are  upon  the  delectable 
mountains,  and  enjoy  much  assurance  of  their  q\w\  personal  interest 
in  Jesus,  and  eternal  life  through  him ;  and  by  the  Holy  Ghost  are 
enabled  to  say,  '  I  know  that  Jesus  loved  me  and  died  for  me.'  O, 
this  privilege  is  most  highly  to  be  prized.    It  is  worth  pressing  after. 

This  only  can  deliver  the  soul  from  all  doubts  and  fears,  inflame  it 
with  the  most  ardent  love,  inspire  it  with  the  most  holy  boldness,  in- 
fluence it  to  the  most  cheerful  obedience,  resign  it  to  afilictive  allot- 
ments, wing  it  with  holy  longings  after  Jesus  and  eternal  glory  ;  and 
make  it  joyfidly  triumphant  over  the  grim  tyrant  deatli ;  with 
"■  Thanks  be  to  God,  who  giveth  me  the  \  ictory  through  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,"    1  Cor.  xv.  57. 

My  Saviour  Goil,  ray  sov'rcigii  Piiuce,  His  word  is  truth,  his  pow'r  is  great, 

Uriijns  fur  above  the  skies  :  From  hence  my  comforts  spring  : 

But  liriiigs  his  graces  down  to  sense,  Assuitmcc  by  the  Holy  Ghost 

A'liJ  .'iclps  my  fail!j  lu  rise,  A  heav*n  ou  earfh  doth  bring.        M. 


60  FEBRUARY  16. 

The  word  was  made  flesh  and  dwelt  amon^  us  (and  we 
beheld  his  f^lory,  the  glory  as  the  only  begotten  of  the 
Father  J  full  of  grace  and  truth. — John  i.  14. 

Whkn  the  Lord  gave  Lumech  a  son,  he  culled  his  ne.nie  Noah, 
which  signifies  repose  or  consolation  ;  and  he  said,  "  Tnis  same  shall 
comfort  us  concerning  the  work  and  toil  of  our  hands,  because  of 
the  ground  which  the  Loi-d  hath  cursed,"  Gen.  v.  29.  Noah  was 
an  cniin  cnt  type  of  Jesus.  Every  sinner,  who  is  poor,  and  made  low 
(as  Lamcch  signifies)  has  infinite  reason  so  to  conclude  of  Jesus,  the 
Son  of  Cod.  *'  This  same  shall  comfort  us,  though  the  work  and  toil 
of  hands  have  been  evil?  and  we  are  cursed  for  sin. 

To  be  poor  and  made  low  in  self,  and  to  be  struck  with  the  display 
of  the  glory  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  is  the  work  of  the  Spirit,  by  tlic 
word  of  truth,  and  is  peculiar  to  believers  in  all  ages.  "  Abraham 
rejoiced  to  see  Christ's  day  of  incarnation  ;  he  saw  it  and  was  glad." 
An4all  the  children  of  Abraham's  fidth  now,  as  well  as  the  apostles, 
see  the  glory  of  Jesus  by  the  same  Spirit,  whose  office  is  to  glorify 
Christ.  To  know  Jesus  as  man,  the  anionted  Saviour,  brings  life 
and  peace  to  our  hearts.  To  see  his  glory  as  God-man,  fills  our 
souls  with  the  triumphs  of  salvation.  Thus  we  are  satiffitd  with 
him  as  our  Lord  and  our  God.  We  look  to  no  other  God,  but  the 
God  in  our  flesh,  who  dwelt  among  us.  He  is  full  of  grace  and 
truth  to  us.  All  wrath  and  terror  ceaseth  agidnst  us.  "  For  God 
was  in  Christ  reconciling  the  world,  not  imputing  sin."  So  God 
hath  drawn  nigh  to  us,  so  he  hath  embraced  and  loved  us,  so  by  faith 
w^e  draw  nigh  to,  embrace  and  love  him. 

Wiien  Jesus  is  embraced  in  the  arms  of  faith,  the  enraptured 
heart  cries  out,  with  Simeon,  "  Mine  eyes  have  soen  tiiy  salvation." 
«  We  rnn  with  patience  the  heavenly  race,  look.i.g  to  Jesus."  With 
this  view,  we  mediti.te  on  our  hastci  ing  dissolution  wath  composure  ; 
expect  the  sure  messen^ror  with  p;acc-  ;  look  forward  to  approaching 
judgment  v/ith  joy,  being  assured  of  the  joyful  si;.;ht  of  tne  glorified 
man,  Jesus,  the  judge,  who  shall  tlien  appear  as  the  great  God  and 
our  Saviour ;  "  whom,  having  not  seen  in  the  flesh,  we  love  ;  iu 
whom,  though  avc  now  see  him  not,  yet  bcjieviivg,  we  rejoice  with 
joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory,"  1  Fet.  i.  8.  »  For  yet  a  little 
while  and  he  shall  ccTiainly  come  to  be  glorified  hi  his  saints,  and  t« 
bc^idinircd  in  all  them  that  believe  in  that  day,"  2  Thess.  i.  10. 

\iul  did  iijy  <;od  iu  Iiririi;i;i  fli  sh  Tlic  fail!!  oClliis  attrncls  my  soul, 

AiiO  Llood  appear  hciow  ?  '  To  Cliiisi  in  union  sweet ; 

\yw  lie  liclieia  nst'iill  of  triilli;  Moi-o  oftliy  fnliuss,  I,oi-d,  bestow, 

TJ.ul  giacf  from  Mnu  liii-lit  fiow  .'  "  In  ilice  I  a)u  complete. 


FEBRUARY  17.  61 

That  in  me  ye  might  have  peace,  in  the  -world  ye  shall 
have  tribulation  :  But  be  of  good  cheer ^  I  have  over- 
come  the  world — John  xvi.  2t3. 

Such  is  Christ's  leg^icy  to  all  his  brethren  :  peace  in  him  ;  trib- 
ulation in  the  world.  Every  disciple  sliall  receive  these  bequests. 
The  foi-mer,  a  triune  God  of  truth  and  faitlifulness  is  engaged  by 
promise  and  oath  to  give.  The  latter,  from  the  combined  triiiity, 
the  world,  flesh,  and  the  devil,  every  follower  ot  Jesus  will  be  sure 
to  receive.  But,  alas  !  how  apt  are  we,  when  in  the  mount  of  peace 
with  Jesus,  to  cry  <  Tribulation  shall  no  more  affect  me  !'  On  the 
other  hand,  when  in  the  dreary  valley  of  tribulation,  then  we  are 
ready  to  conclude,  '  O  there  is  no  end  to  my  troubles  ;  I  shall  see 
peace  no  more.'  This  was  the  case  with  David.  One  while  we  find 
him  triumphing  :  "  In  my  prosperity  I  said  I  shall  never  be  moved," 
Psalm  XXX.  6.  At  another,  mournfully  complaining,  "  Thou 
hidest  thy  face,  and  I  am  troubled." 

Too,  too  apt  are  we  to  judge  of  God's  love  to  us  by  his  providen- 
ces, instead  of  his  promises.  Tribulation  in  tl\c  world  is  as  necessary 
for  the  soul  as  peace  in  Jesus  ;  or  our  loving  Saviour  would  not  have 
appointed  it  for  us.  One  is  not  incompatible  with,  nor  destructive  of 
the  other.  Nay,  is  it  not  oft  the  case  with  thee,  O  christian,  as  of 
old,  that  "  as  sufferings  abound,  consolation  abounds  also  ?"  2  Cor. 
i.  5.  Hast  thou  access  by  faith  into  tlie  same  grace  with  the  church 
of  old  ?  dost  thou  with  them  "  rejoice  in  hope  of  the  glory  oi  God  r" 
learn  the  same  note  which  they  sung  :  "  We  glory  in  tribulation.'* 
Why  ?  Because  they  knew  tliat  "  all  things  work  together  for  good." 
Therefore  they  found  by  experience  these  soul-revivuig  effects  : 
"  knowing  that  tribulation  worketh  patience,  and  patience  experience, 
and  experience  hope,  and  hope  maketh  not  ashamed,  because  the 
love  of  God  is  shed  abroad  in  our  hearts  by  the  Holy  Ghost  given 
unto  us,"  Rom.  v.  2 — 5. 

Thus  as  Christ  is  ours,  all  things  are  ours.  Tribulation  and 
distress  in  the  world  are  ours,  as  well  as  hope,  patience,  peace,  love, 
and  joy  in  Jesus.  Sweet  is  it  to  observe  how  our  dear  Saviour  words 
his  legacy  :  it  is  like  a  cross  richly  ornamented  with  jewels  of  infinite 
value.  Tribulation  in  the  world  stands  encompassed  with  peace  in 
the  front,  good  cheer  and  victory  in  the  rear.  "  Who  is  he  that 
overcometh  the  world,  but  he  that  believetli  that  Jesus  is  the  Son  of 
God  ?"   1  John  v.  5. 

Hath  my  dear  Lord  this  world  o'ercorae,  Faith  in  my  Lord  doth  share  the  spoils, 
III  wliich  I've  trials  great  ?  Aiul  bring  nie  iieacc  of  mind  : 

Be  of  good  cheer  then,  O  my  soul,  Wliat  tlio'  the  world  doth  smile  or  frown, 

Thy  vict'ry  is  complete.  In  Christ  1  vict'ry  find .  M 

Vol.   I.  H 


02  FEBRUARY  18. 

Henceforth  know  we  no  man  after  the  flesh  ;  yea,  though 
we  have  known  Christ  after  the  fesh  ;  yet  henceforth 
know  xve  him  no  more. — 2  Cor,  v.   16. 

How  eminent  docs  the  grace  of  God  shine  in  the  conduct  of 
Levi!  when  the  glory  of  Jehovah  was  at  stake,  when  his  honor  was 
ro  be  vindicated  against  those  who  had  sinned  witli  an  high  hand, 
"  He  said  unto  ids  fatlier  and  mother,  I  have  not  seen  him  ;" — tliat 
IS,  no  one  that  mine  eye  sliall  pity,  nor  mine  hand  spare,  who  has 
transgressed  in  this  matter.  "  Neitlier  did  he  acknowledge  his 
brethren,  nor  know  his  own  children,"  Deut.  xxxiii.  9.  The  Lord 
our  God  is  a  jealous  God.  It  behoves  his  children  to  be  valiant  for 
the  truth  as  it  is  m  Jesus.  It  is  our  duty  to  face  all  opposition 
against  it ;  to  stand  in  defence  of  it  from  every  quarter,  and  to  know 
no  man  after  the  flesh,  so  as  to  give  up  the  truth  for  fear  of  him. 
This  is  our  highest  honor  ;  and  this  is  highly  acceptable  in  the  sight 
of  our  God,  ♦<  Those  who  honor  me  I  will  honor,"  saith  the  Lord, 
But  "knowing  men  after  the  flesh,"  proves  a  snare  to  the  soul. 
Many  have  suffered  loss  hereby  While  they  have  conferred  with 
flesh  and  blood,  listened  to  the  wisdom  of  carnal  men,  and  consulted 
the  judgment  of  the  v/isc  of  diis  world,  how  have  their  minds  been 
dra\vn  from  the  simplicity  that  is  in  Christ  1  The  wisdom  of  this 
world  is  foolishness  with  God.  The  righteousness  of  the  flesh  is 
abomination  in  his  sight.  The  spirit  of  inspiration  hath  taught  us 
tiiis  profitable  lesson,  to  glory  ONLY  in  Christ  as  our  wisdom  and 
righteousness.  This  sweet  mystery  of  faith  makes  us  dead  to  the 
life  of  the  flesh,  the  lust  of  the  flesh,  and  the  glory  of  tlie  flesh  ;  yea, 
gives  us  the  victory  over  the  flesh.  So  we  live  in  a  spiritual  kingdom, 
glory  in  Jesus  as  a  spiritual  Saviour,  are  delighted  with  spiritual 
con^panions,  and  are  m.  de  conifortable  by  spiritual  gifts  and  graces. 
While  a  Pharisee,  Paul  gloried  in  carnal  privileges  and  the  attain 
nients  of  the  flesh  ;  but,  "  behold  he  prayeth,"  saith  the  Holy  Ghost . 
Blessed  pa-oof  of  a  new-born  soul,  when  it  soars  to  Jesus,  and  is  dis- 
satisfied with  all  the  objects  of  nature,  time,  and  sense,  and  inces- 
santly cries,  "  I  count  all  things  but  loss  ^ind  dung  for  the  excellency 
of  liie  knowledge  of  Christ  Jesus  my  Lord,  for  whom  I  have  sufl'ered 
the  loss  of  all  things,  uud  do  count  them  but  dung  that  I  may  wii> 
Christ,"  Phil.  iii.  3. 

V 

To  Iviiou-  my  Loitl  in  mortal  flesh,  "Willi  spiritual  views  my  soul  delight, 

I3olli  tv'ry  comfortbriii!;  :  Of  Jesii's  lovely  face, 

A  r  r  E  a  the  flesh  to  know  tlic  Lord  0  heav'iily  Dove  ;  so  make  me  run 

IsmutcacaraaltUiiig;.  'With  joy  my  hcav'nJy  race.               M 


FEBRUARY  19.  63 

He  that  achiowledgeth  the  Son,  hath  the  Father  also.-^ 
1  John  ii.  23. 

If  so,  we  cannot  pay  too  much  homage,  nor  ascribe  too  much 
glory  to  Jesus,  as  some  object.  Did  Jesus  receive  from  God  the 
Father,  honor  and  glory  by  his  voice  from  the  excellent  glory, 
"  This  is  my  beloved  Son  in  whom  I  am  well  pleased  ?"  2  Pet. 
i.  17.  Is  it  the  Father's  will  that  all  men  should  honor  the  Son, 
even  as  they  honor  the  Father  ?"  "  He  that  honoreth  not  the  Son, 
honoreth  not  the  Father  that  sent  him,''  John  v.  23.  May  we  not 
then  boldly  say  with  Paul,  on  another  occasion,  "  As  the  tinith  ol 
C-hrist  is  in  me,  no  man  shall  stop  me  in  this  glorying"  in  Jesus,  as 
my  Lord,  my  God.  Yea,  we  will  acknowledge  him  in  his  lowest 
form  and  meanest  appearance  ;  as  the  babe  wrapped  in  swadling 
clothes,  lying  in  a  manger  :  a  destitute,  outcast  infant;  obscure  and 
mean  in  his  birth  and  parentage  ;  working  at  a  common,  ordinary 
employ  ;  without  form  and  comeliness ;  despised  and  rejected  of 
men  ;  a  man  of  sorrows  txnd  acquiunted  with  griefs  ;  mocked,  derided, 
laughed  to  scorn  ;  crowned  with  thorns  in  derision  ;  condemned  and 
crucified  as  an  accursed  wretch,  unworthy  to  live  in  heaven  or  on 
earth  ;  adjudged  fit  only  to  die,  in  company  with  thieves  iuid  high- 
waymen, on  a  gibbet.  Wholly  to  trust  in  this  Man,  this  God-Man, 
Jesus  of  Nazareth,  the  root  and  oflfspring  of  David,  this  is  »  the 
FAITH  of  God's  elect."  This  the  acknowledgment  of  the  truth 
which  is  after  godliness.  This  is  the  only  "  hope  of  eternal  life, 
which  God,  that  cannot  lie,  promised  before  the  world  began," 
Tit.  i.  2.  This  is  a  "repentance  to  the  acknowledging  of  the 
truth,"  2  Tim.  ii.  25.  Thus  are  simple,  believing  hearts  "com- 
forted, being  knit  together  in  love,  unto  all  riches  of  the  full  assu- 
rance of  understanding,  to  the  acknowledgment  of  the  mystery  of 
God,  and  of  the  Father,  and  of  Christ ;  in  whom  are  hid  all  the 
treasures  of  wisdom  and  knowledge,"  Col.  ii.  2,  3. 

In  this  rich  mine  of  truth  and  consolation  we  are  daily  to  dig  for 
all  wisdom,  hohness,  and  happiness.  In  this  acknowledgment  of 
the  Son  in  his  humble  state,  thus  saving  us,  we  have  the  Father's 
rich  love,  and  precious  promises,  and  the  holy  Spirit's  power,  in- 
fluence, and  witness.  "Ever  giving  thanks  to  the  l-ather,  who 
hath  made  us  meet  to  be  partakers  of  the  inheritance  of  the  saints  in 
light,"  Col.  i.  12. 

When  I  behold  the  Fatliei's  love  Then  sense  submits  to  faith  divine, 

Slune  in  llie  person  of  Jiis  Son,  \VhicIi  lonis  it  over  cnrnul  views  : 

.'lis  Spirit  brings  my  soul  to  own  My  soul  gels  settled  in  its  liopc  ; 

Vfy  (io'I,  th'  eternal  thi'cc  in  one.  This  tnUh  I  sing,  and  sweetly  muse      >I. 


64  FEBRUARY  20. 

That  T  may  win  Christ — Phil.  iii.  8. 

No    sooner   had  good  king   Hczeki^ih  established    Hts  throne 
in  righttousness,  restored  rclis^ion  in  liis   kingdom^   sei   his  whole 
heart  to  sei  ve  the  Lord,  «nd  his  God   prospered  him,  but  an   invad- 
ing  Sennacherib  enters    his  territories,  and  encamps  against   his 
fenced  cities,  2  Chron.  xxxii    1.     Scripture    and   experience   daily 
pr'ach  to  God's  children,  "  this  is  not  your  rest :"     You  are  in   a 
militant  state.     Though  Jesus  hath  taken  possession  of  the    soul, 
and  cast  out  the  strong  man  armed,  think  not  of  foldiiig  your   arms, 
and  s:iying,  I  shall  see  war  no  more  ;  for  your  adversaiy  has   many 
after-gcimrs  to  play.     He  will  not  only  encamp  against  your   fenced 
cities,  and  attack  your  out-works,  but  will  also  attempt  your  very 
heart  and  mind.     Beware  of  such  suggestions  as  these,  they  are  the 
whispers  of  a  destroying  foe  ;    *'  Come,  you  are  now  an   excellent 
christian  ;  you  have  a  tongue  to  speak  for  Jesus,  you  don't  live  and 
act  as  the  rest  of  the  careless,  sinful  world,   you   have  made  great 
advances  in  holiness,  now  you  have  somewhat  to  glory  in  yourself 
before  God. "     Jesus,  Master,  save  us  in  this  hour  of  Satan's  attack  ! 
Wlien  in  such  a  storm,  better  to  cast  overboard  all  the  heavy  lading 
of  self-confidence  to  right  the  ship.     «  A  haughty  spirit  goeth  before 
a  fall,"  Prov.  xvi.    18. 

Let  us  ever  remember,  Jesus  is  all  our  gain  and  all  our  glory. 
We  are  still  poor  sinners.  By  renouncing  all,  and  cleaving  to  him, 
we  enjoy  all  in  him.  No  fruits  produced,  no  comforts  experienced, 
but  by  abiding  in  him.  What  i  possess  Jesus, -and  yet  want  to 
WIN  him  r  Yes.  ()  there  is  much  more  knowledge  of,  peace  from, 
love  to,  joy  in,  and  conformity  to  Jesus,  to  be  gained  and  experien- 
ced,  than  any  of  us  have  yet  found!  Jesus-enamoured  hearts,  like 
avaricious  gamesters,  never,  never  thii.k  th.  y  have  enough  of  Jesus 
in  time,  till  they  have  gained  the  full  enjoyment  of  his  matchless 
chinns  in  glory.  They  renounce  all  for  his  sake.  Wherefore  ? 
on  terms  and  conditions  to  barter  for  iU)  interest  in  Christ  ?  No  ; 
griicious,  loving  hearts  detest  such  base  undervaluing  Uioughts  of 
their  infinitely  precious  Saviour.  Shall  the  dross  and  dung  ''of  our 
doings  and  performances  be  put  in  competition  « ith  his  most  glori- 
ous  excellency,  who  is  our  prize,  our  portion,  our  treasure  ?  «'  Whom 
have  I  in  heaven  but  thee,  oi-  what  is  there  on  earth  I  desire  in  com- 
parison of  thee  ?"  will  ever  be  the  language  of  faith. 


V 


My  nod,  my  lif.,  n,y  love.  Then  '.s  rothinjr  here  dcsenes  my  joys 

T  pr\:inot  liveif  tho' 


^"  ♦'"•'■  '  "" ;  Th.-re-s  iiothins  I'ko  my  tiod. 


i-cmovr,  Thr  smilii.gs  of  thy  face, 

I'orthoM  ar    all  in  all.  H.^^v  .-.mi.ible  thev  arc  ! 

A\  I.  .t  rmptv  f hinps  arc-  all  the  .skies,  'Tis  h.-.iv'„  to  rest  in  thy  emhr,pe, 

A ,.d  tlus  mfcnor  clo«l  ?  And  no  where  else  but  there. 


FEBRUARY  21.  65 

Strive  to  enter  in  at  the  strait  gate  ;  for  many,  I  say  unto 
you,  shall  seek  to  enter  in,  but  shall  not  be  able. — Luke 
xiii.  21.' 

Thou  fccblc-mindcd  disciple,  weak  in  faith,  thy  Jesus  speaks 
not  thus  to  discourage  thee  from  seeking  salvation  by  him  only  ; 
for  he  also  says,  "  Every  one  that  seeketh  findeth."  But  rather  he 
hereby  animates  and  encourages  thy  soul  in  striving  against  every 
enemy  tliat  opposeth  thy  entering  his  kingdom  by  the  strait  gate, 
even  by  his  one  atonement,  and  one  righteousness  only.  He  designs 
also  to  shew  that  men  mny  not  ox\\y  seek ,  but  s^r??;*?,  yea,  strive 
as  in  an  agony  "  to  enter  in,  but  shall  not  be  able."  Why  ?  Because 
th  'v  expoct  to  enter  the  kingdom  by  some  other  gate  than  Jesus. 
But,  Says  the  apostle,  "  No  man  is  crowned,  except  he  strives 
lawfully."  Earnestness,  zeal,  activity,  avail  nothing,  while  Jesus 
is  not  the  o?ily  object :  his  blood,  the  only  plea  for  pardon  ;  his 
righteousness,  the  only  hope  for  acceptance.  But  this,  in  the  eyes 
of  self-righteous  professors,  makes  the  gate  appear  too  strait  indeed. 
Hence  they  seek  to  enter,  by  ways  more  pleashig  to  their  pride, 
and  more  agreeable  to  the  corrupt  lusts  of  their  naturc.  So  that 
striving  is  not  so  much  opposed  to  seeking,  as  the  strait-gate  Jesus 
is  to  every  other  method  of  salvation  of  man's  devising.  There  is 
an  awful  denunciation  against  such,  Isa.  xlv.  9  :  "  Woe  be  to  him 
that  striveth  with  his  Maker."  Shall  potsherds  of  the  earth  dare 
contend  against  the  sovereignty  of  God's  wisdom,  power,  and  grace  i' 
Here  is  the  strife  of  the  Pharisee.  And  in  opposition  to  the  sloth  and 
licentiousness  of  the  Antinomian,  says  our  Lord  to  all  his  disciples, 
'  Strive — strive,  by  my  power  which  strengthens  you,  against  every 
enemy  that  opposeth  your  entering  my  kinigdom,  by  7ne.' 

As  surely  as  there  is  a  devil  in  hell,  tliere  will  be  false  teachers 
on  earth.  So  long  as  thou  continuest  in  the  body,  thou  wilt  have 
corrupt  lusts,  carnal  reason,  the  workings  of  pride,  unbelief,  and 
self-righteousness.  Now  all  these  unite  to  oppose  thy  faith,  and 
contend  against  thy  hope  ;  but  thy  master,  who  calleth  thee  to  arms, 
bids  th(  e  "  be  of  good  courage,  and  strive  for  the  mastery."  In  his 
strength  thou  art  sure  to  conquer  and  win  the  prize.  "  Press  for- 
ward, striving  against  sin,"  Heb.  xii.  4 — '<  striving  for  the  faith  of 
the  gospel,"  Phil.  i.  27 — stiving  fervently  in  prayer,"  Col.  iv.-  12, 
— "  striving  according  to  his  workings,  who  workeih  mightily  in  his 
people,"  Chap.  i.  29. 

Give  lights  O  Lord,  to  see  the  gate,  Turn  off  my  eyes  from  other  hopes, 

And  strength  to  strive  to  enter  in  Tl»at  would  beguile  my  soul  : 

By  THEE  who  art  the  truth,  the  way,  O  fix  and  keep  my  w.and'ring  heart, 

From  Satan's  power,  the  world,  and  sip.  To  thee  entire  and  whole.  M. 


66  FEBRUARY  22. 

Whif  art  thou  cast  doum.  O  my  soul?  and xvhy  art  thou 
disquieted  xv'ith'm  me?  Hope  thou  in  God.  for  I  shall  yet 
praise  him,  "who  is  the  health  of  my  countenance^  and  my 
Gof/.— Psalm  xlii.  11. 

We  are  not  to  expect  the  sunshine  of  joy  all  the  way  through- 
this  vale  of  tears.  Comfortiible  frames  and  joyful  feelings,  though 
sweet  and  delightful,  are  not  always  so  profitable  to  the  soul.  Were 
we  always  on  the  mountof  joy,  alas,  we  should  forget  we  are  strangers 
and  pilgrims  on  the  earth  ;  but  should  be  for  building  tabernacles  of 
rest  in  a  polluted  place  ;  and  cry  out  with  the  highly-favored  disci- 
ples, "  It  is  good  for  us  to  be  here  ;  but  they  knew  not  what  they 
said."  Luke  ix.  33.  It  is  the  glory  of  a  christian  to  live  by  faith 
on  Jesus  ;  to  judge  of  his  Saviour's  love  from  the  word  of  truth, 
move  than  by  sense  and  feeling  :  yea  under  dejection  and  disquiet  of 
soul,  than  to  hope  and  trust  in  God,  to  check  and  rebuke  one's  self 
for  doubts  and  diffidence  ;  this  is  truly  the  exercise  of  faith.  Faith 
supports  the  soul,  and  lifts  it  above  the  determinations  of  carnal 
reason  and  the  suggestions  of  sense.  The  believer  is  to  abide  steadily 
by  the  word  of  truth,  though  in  heaviness  for  a  season  ;  being  per- 
f  uaded  that  shortly  he  shall  rejoice  in  and  praise  God,  even  for  this 
r^loomy  dispensation  ;  concluding  from  the  word  of  God's  grace  and 
faithfulness,  "  Jehovah  Jesus  is  the  health  of  my  countenance,  and 
my  God."  This  is  the  very  joy  of  faith.  Such  the  sweet  experience 
of  David.  Mark  the  frequent  declarations  to  this  purpose  in  the  42d 
and  43d  Psalms.  The  Holy  Ghost  hath  recorded  these  for  our  in- 
struction. 

Disciple,  it  is  well  for  thee  to  learn  wisdom  hereby.  Thy  frame 
raay  vary  ;  the  foundation  of  God's  love  standeth  sure  ;  his  promises 
cannot  fail ;  the  word  of  truth,  yea  the  oath  of  Jehovah,  are  engaged 
for  the  salvation  of  all  who  "  have  fled  to  Jesus  for  refuge."  Vhou 
mayest  meet  with  maiiy  things,  from  within  and  Avithout,  to  cast  down 
thy  soul,  to  distress  and  disquiet  thee  ;  but  thou  art  called  to  look  to 
Jesus,  not  to  stagger  at  the  promises  through  unbelief;  but,  like  the 
father  of  the  fiiithful,  «  against  hope  to  believe  in  hope  ;"  not  to  con- 
sider thine  own  corrupt  nature,  its  lustings  to  evils,  its  enmity  to 
gi-ace,  so  as  to  give  up  thy  hope.  There  is  ever  cause  of  humility, 
but  no  reason  for  casting  away  thy  confidence  in  Jesus  in  and  under 
thy  worst  frames.  Though  tliou  sir^keth  to  hell,  in  the  view  of  thy 
deserts,  yet  through  the  righteousness  of  Jesus,  life  and  salvation  are 
procured  for  the  hell-deserving.  Encourage  thy  soul  to  hope  in  him 
so  Shalt  thou  praise  and  glorify  him.  "  I  ^ijl  bless  the  Lord  at  all 
tinxc,,  his  praise  shall  continually  Lc  in  my  mouili  "  Why  so  ? 
"  Because  my  soul  ,shall  make  her  boast  iii  the  Lord,"'  Psalm  xxxiv." 


FJ:BRUARY  23.  67 

fye  know  that  when  he  shall  appear,  we  shall  he  like  him  ; 
for  we  shall  see  him  as  he  is. — 1  John  iii.  2. 

Why  should  the  Lord,  wI\o  giveth  us  all  things  richly  to  cnjoy> 
lay  an  embargo  on  our  f\illy  gratifying  ourselves  in  the  use  of  them  ? 
Why  are  we  called  to  daily  mortification  and  self-denial,  as  to  sensual 
objects  ?  Verily,  it  is  all  in  love  to  our  souls,  that  Jesus  and  spiritual 
objects  might  be  more  enjoyed  ;  for  experience  proves  the  life  of 
sense  to  be  opposite  to  the  life  of  faith.  The  more  pleasure,  comfort, 
and  happiness  we  enjoy  in  the  things  of  this  life,  this  tends  to  make 
us  love  the  world,  and  loath  to  leave  it !  and  so  our  aflections  to  Jesus 
cool,  our  desires  after  his  appearing  abate  in  their  fervor,  and  we 
loose  our  longings  after  the  unclouded  sight  of  him  iii  glory.  So  St. 
Paul  reproves  christians  of  old  :  "  Are  ye  not  carnal,  and  walk  as 
men?  1  Cor.  iii.  3.  How  justly  applicable  is  this  interrogation  to 
lis  also  !  Reflect  on  this  soul-reviving  truth.  Yet  a  little  while  and 
Jesus  shall  appear.  So  sure  as  he  was  once  upon  earth  in  our  nature, 
he  will  appear  again  in  the  same  human  body,  exalted  tmd  glorified. 
And  can  we  know  and  believe  this  as  an  undoubted  truth,  live  upon 
it  in  expectation,  without  finding  a  deadness  to  this  present  world, 
and  all  its  enjoyments  ?  Here  Aye  feel  sin  in  our  flesh,  pains  iii  our 
bodies,  afllictions  our  companions,  wanderings  and  deadness  in 
duties,  trials  and  temptations  of  various  sorts  ;  and  innumerable 
evils  of  every  kind  doth  this  short  life  abound  with  :  but  at  the  ap- 
pearing of  Jesus  all  will  be  at  an  end  ;  for  we  shall  be  like  him  :  our 
shall  be  perfectly  conformed  to  his  image.  In  soul  and  body  we 
vile  bodies  shall  be  fiishioned  like  to  his  glorious  body.  Our  souls 
shall  eternally  enjoy  him.  And  are  we  the  subjects  of  such  a  hope  ? 
Let  us  live  like  ourselves  ;  as  memberj  of  Jesus  our  head.  Let  us 
ever  be  pressing  after  him,  living  upon  his  fulness,  and  longing  for 
his  appearing.  Most  blessed  sight !  most  desirable  fruition  !  we 
shall  see  our  Jesus  as  he  is.  Once  the  despised  Nazarine— once  the 
devoted  victim  to  curse  and  wrath  ;  but  now  the  Lord  of  life  and 
glory,  bestowing  immortality  and  eternal  life  upon  his  dearly-pur- 
chased, blood-bought  members.  O,  were  our  hearts  more  witii 
Christ  on  the  cross,  and  more  with  him  on  his  throne  by  faith,  how 
would  sin  be  subdued,  the  world  overcome,  Satan  conquered,  and  our 
happy  hearts  triumphing  in  love  1  for  "  we  are  more  than  conquer- 
ors over  all,  through  Jesus  that  hath  loved  us." 

O  the  delights,  the  lieavcnly  joys  !  But  when  our  eyes  l)ehoId  liis  face, 
Tlie  glories  of  the  place,  Our  lirarls  sh;ill  love  him  more. 

"Where  Jesus  sheds  the  briglitest  beams  And  wliile  our  faith  enjoys  this  sight. 
Of  his  o'erfloM  ing  gr.ice  !  We  long  to  leave  our  clay  ; 

This  is  the  Marv,  th*  exacted  Mon,  And  wish  thy  fiery  chariots,  Lord, 
\^"hon-l  wc,  unseen,  adore  :  To  fetch  our  souls  awsy. 


68  JANUARY  24. 

Hezekiah  humbled  himself  for  the  pride  of  his  heart. -^ 
2  Chron.  xxxii  2(5. 
Outward,  gross,  abominable  sins,  self-righteous  Prarisees  cry 
out  against,  iuid  profess  to  humble  themselves  for;  but  to  mourn  over, 
and  be  humbled  for  heart  sins,  spiritual  pride,  b.c.  is  pecuiii.1  to  gra- 
cious souls  only.  We  read  of  two  things  in  the  word,  the  most  oppo- 
site to  each  other :  Hear  and  udorc  !  the  high  and  lofty  one,  thut  in- 
habiteth  eternity,  "  humbleth  himsclt"  to  visit  man,  Psalm  cxiii.  6. 
Heur,  and  be  astonished  !  "  Man  opposeth  and  exalteth  himself  against 
God,"  2  Thess.  ii.  4.  '^  Pride  proceeds  out  oi  the  heart,"  saith 
Jesus.  Mark  vii.  21.  '1  his  makes  us  murmur  ag^dnst  the  God  of 
providence,  fretful  under  his  dispensations,  forgetful  of  his  bent  fits, 
and  unthc.nkfulfor  his  mercies.  Pride  opposeth  the  sovereign  God 
of  grace,  and  would  snatch  the  crown  of  glory  from  the  everlasting 
God  of  love,  and  place  it  upon  the  head  of  that  guilty  creature  of  a 
day,  man.  Pride  swells  the  haughty  mind  with  indignation  against 
the  truths  of  Jehovah.  That  salvation  is  wholly  by  grace,  free  favor, 
unmerited  love,  unconditional  election  of  God  the  Father  by  Jesus 
Christ,  is  contrary  to  the  proud  vain  thoughts  of  man  ;  therefore  man 
is  against  this.  For  this  leaves  him  aothing  whereoito  glory  in  him- 
self that  he  hath  done,  or  can  do,  to  fulfil  terms  and  conditions,  to 
gain  an  interest  in  salvation,  or  procure  a  title  to  glory. 

Here  God  alone  is  glorified — Christ  exalted — grace  reigns — and 
truth  established;  while  the  poor  sinner's  moutli  is  stoppea,  his  honor 
laid  in  the  dust,  and  in  self-abasement  he  humbles  iiimself  for  the 
pride  of  his  heart.  So  grace  triun.phs  over  all  the  ruin  of  the  fall. 
Thus  it  affects  sinners  when  it  reacheth  the  heart.  All  boastuig  is 
excluded.  "  O  righteous  Father  !  thy  will  be  done,"  in  sovereign 
grace  and  electing  love.  Thou  hast  a  right  to  do  what  thou  wilt  with 
thine  own.  Grace,  favor,  mercy,  faith,  repentance,  hope,  peace,  love, 
holiness,  heaven,  all  is  thy  free  gift  by  Jesus.  None  hath  any  claim 
on  thee  ;  guilt  hath  forfeited  all.  But  to  the  wretciied  and  helpless 
thou  hast  made  thyself  a  debtor  by  free  promise  and  sovereign  procla- 
mation in  Christ  Jesus.  Do  I  see  tins  ?  Is  my  heart  soft  and  yielding 
to  submit  to  salvation  by  grace  only  ?  Wherclorc  is  this  to  me,  while 
others  are  blinded  to  the  truth,  and  their  hearts  hardened  against  it  ? 
The  work  is  thine  ;  all  the  glory  is  due  to  thee  alone  ;  for  ''  even  so, 
righteous  Father,  it  seemed  g-ood  in  thy  sight." 

Su&li  are  the  sentiments  of  gracious,  humble  souls  ;  to  such  he 
"  giveih  more  grace."  "  For  God  rcsisteth  the  proud,  (who  oppose 
the  Father's  electinglovo,  and  the  righteousness  of  his  Son)  but  giveth 
grace  to  the  humble,"  (whose  hope  isliot  in  himself,  but  in  the  Lord 
his  God).  "  Humble  yourselves,  thereforfe,  under  the  mighty- hand 
©f  God,  that  he  niav  exalt  vou  in  due  time,"  1  Pet.  v^  5. 


FEBRUARY  25.  69 

David  said  moreover.  The  Lord  that  delivered  me  out  of 
the  paw  of  the  Hon  and  out  of  the  paw  of  the  bear,  he 
wUl  deliver  me  out  of  the  hand  of  this  Fhdistine. — 
1  Sam.  xvii.  37. 

Faith,  by  ancient  writers,  has  been  stilcd  <  the  queen  of  (graces.' 
As  such  she  displays  her  dignity,  by  disdaining  to  consult  any  power 
below  the  Kinsj;  of  saints.  Wlien  she  calls  in  reason  and  reflection 
upon  past  experiences,  it  is  to  give  all  the  glory  to  her  sovereign 
Lord.  Thus  David  makes  cor.fession  of  faitli  in  his  king.  Wliut 
was  the  gigantic  size,  the  formidable  t'.ppearance,  and  the  haughty 
thi-ealenings  of  his  Philistine  antagonist  ?  To  the  eye  of  his  faith,  all 
were  mean  and  contemptible  ;  for  he  saw  him  that  was  invisible  ;  he 
fixed  his  confidence  on  the  invisible  power  of  the  Omnipotent.  He 
considered  not  himself;  "  he  was  stror,g  in  the  Lord,  and  in  the  power 
of  his  might  ;"  he  had  sweet  experience  of  the  truth  of  his  Lord  ; 
«  To  him  that  believcth,  all  things  are  possible,"  Mark  ix.  23.  ,He 
had  seen  the  power  of  the  Lord  in  delivering  him  from  the  fierceness 
of  a  lion,  and  from  the  strength  of  a  bear ;  and  therefore  says,  not 
with  a  perhaps  or  a  paradventure,  but  absolutely  in  full  confidence  of 
fa'th,  "  The  Lord  hath  delivered,  and  he  will  deliver."  And  the 
h's'ory  fully  assures  us,  «  according  to  his  faith,  so  it  was." 

N(iw  "  whatsoever  things  were  written  aforetime,  were  written  for 
our  learning,"  Rem,  xv.  4.  Here  is  a  lesson  of  instruction,  from 
which  disciples  of  Jesus  may  learn  the  doctrine  of  self-despair. 
Thine  enemies  are  fierce  as  lions,  strong  as  bears,  potent  and  formi- 
dable as  Goliath  of  Gath.  To  know  thou  hast  neither  might  nor 
strength,  and  to  despair  of  victory  from  thyself,  is  thy  wisdom.  This 
humbling  lesson  proud  nature  is  averse  tg  ;  but  it  is  profiti.blc  to  the 
spirit.  By  faith  we  glovy  in  the  Lord,  and  him  only.  Can  I  look 
back  to  past  experience  of  his  grace  and  power  ?  Can  I  call  to  mind, 
that  in  such  danger  the  Lord  appeared  as  my  deliverer  ?  At  such  a 
time  I  sweetly  experienced  the  Lord's  power,  and  triumphed  over 
mine  enemies  ?  therefore  I  will  trust  m  the  Lord,  and  not  be  afraid. 
Past  experiences  encourage  future  hopes.  A  tried  friend  is  a  sure 
friend.  To  forget  past  mercies  is  ungrateful.  To  bury  our  Saviour's 
former  dealings  \\\\.\\  our  souls  in  oblivion,  is  dishonorable  to  him  ; 
not  to  consider  Jesus  as  the  only  hope,  and  live  upon  him  day  by.  day 
in  the  exercise  of  faith,  is  to  live  below  our  privilege.  Never  arraign 
his  love,  because  he  sufiers  thine  enemies  to  put  on  a  dreadful  form, 
and  attack  thee  with  violence.  This  is  to  draw  thy  fidlh  into  exer- 
cise, that  thy  soul  may  have  larger  experience  of  his  love  and  deliv- 
erance. Thus  saith  the  Lord,  (most  comfortable  words  !)  Be  not 
afraid  nor  dismayed  by  reason  of  this  great  mul'.itvule  ;  for  the  battle, 
is  not  yours,  but  God's,"  a  Chron.  xx.   15. 

Vol..  I.  I 


70  FEBRUARY  26. 

Behold  I  come  OS  a  thief.  Blessed  is  he  that  watcheth^ 
andkeepctli  his  garments,  lest  he  -walk  naked,  and  they 
see  his  shame. — Rev.  xvi.   15. 

Vain  confidence  begets  spiritual  sloth.  Licentious  principles 
liardcn  the  heart  in  sin,  deafen  the  ear  to  the  calls  of  grace,  and 
cause  the  tongue  to  pronounce  evangelical  excitements  to  love  and 
obedience,  Legal.  But  the  faith  of  Jesus  enlivens  to  duty,  and  in- 
'^pires  the  soul  with  godly  jealousy  and  holy  watchfulness.  So  the 
iuembers  of  Jesus  are  blessed  ;  blessed  in  him  with  all  spiritual  bles- 
sings ;  and  they  enjoy  a  sweet  sense  of  blessedness  in  obeying  him. 
"  Behold  I  come,"  saitli  Jesus  the  head..  In  tlie  faitli  of  this,  enable 
nie.  Lord,  to  watch  ahvay,  stiith  every  living  member.  Wc  kiiOW 
but  in  part ;  there  are  infinitely  greater  blessings  to  be  found  in  Jtsus, 
more  of  his  knowledge,  his  love,  his  peace,  of  his  image,  greater 
conformity  to,  and  likeness  of  him.  For  this  we  arc  called  to  watch, 
;tnd  wait,  and  pray  continually,  lest  we  lose  the  garments  of  truth, 
the  clothing  of  humility,  the  adorning  of  the  gospel,  and  sorrow 
overtake  us,  and  shame  cover  us.  So  also  to  watch  against  the  aes- 
perutc  wickedness  of  our  nature,  the  devices  of  Satan,  and  the  de- 
ceils  of  an  ensnaring  world.  None  fully  know  the  diu:igers  to  which 
they  are  exposed,  and  how  dreadfully  they  may  be  suffered  to  fall. 
!Most  true,  Jesus  both  can  and  will  keep  all  his  members,  by  nis  pow- 
er through  faith  unto  salvation.  But  it  is  as  true,  thou  wiit  huve  sad 
evidence  of  thy  interest  in  him,  while  his  word  is  not  thy  rule  of 
conduct.     Watch,  saith  he. 

Comfort  and  peace  of  soul  are  enjoyed  in  the  way  of  circumspec- 
'  lion  and  watchfulness,  while  with  care  and  diligence  we  study  to  ap- 
prove ourselves  as  God's  children,  «  by  a  holy  walk  and  godly  conver- 
sation." Awful  iiistajices  are  frequent  and  visible,  of  many  souls 
"  who  did  run  well  for  a  season;"  but  Satan  hath  hindered.  They  \\\x\c 
forsaken  tl:e  precious  truths  of  Jesus,  the  world  has  enslaved  them, 
i.iid  their  conversation-garments  are  defiled  with  gross  and  abomina- 
ble sins.  Their  minds  appear  destitute  of  faith,  love,  and  holiness, 
and  their  shame  is  seen  manifest.  A  s.tate,  how  deplorable!  how 
much  to  be  dreaded  !  all  from  neglecting  to  watch.  Serious  thoughts 
arc  terrifying,  self-examination  they  fly  froiu,  the  view  of  death  fills 
;l.cm  with  horror,  an  -appearing,  forsaken  Jesus  they  dread,  iiut  he 
>villcomc;  every  eye  must  see  him  ;  though  as  a  thief,  suddenly; 
yet  to  his  fuitliful  ones  not  dreadfully,  to  rob  and  destroy  them  ;  but 
to  gather  them  together,  tl'.at  they  may  be  ever  with  him.  And  now, 
"  little  children,  abide  in  him  ;  that  when  Jte  shall  appear,  we  may 
Jiave  confidence,  and  not  be  a^h;;mfd  Ik  Tore  liim  at  his  coming,'' 
i  John  ii.  2S. 


FEBRUARY  27.  71 

For  this  thing  1  besought  the  Lord  thrice ,  that   it  might 
depart  from  me. — 2  Cor.  xii.  S. 

Our  Saviour  represents  God's  own  elect  as  crying  d?y  and  night 
to  him,  Luke  xviii.  7.  '  Sore  temptations,  soul-burdens,  satan's 
buffetings,  are  peculiarly  felt  Ijy  thcni.  Their  crying  under  them 
is  a  proof  of  spiritual  life  ;  their  crying  to  the  Lord  only,  is.  an  evi- 
dence of  the  faith  of  God's  elect  ;  their  intreuties  to  be  delivered 
from  them  shew  the  sanctified,  holy  disposition  of  their  souls.  Thus 
tlie  Lord  draws  out  into  exercise  the  graces  of  his  children.  His 
eyes  are  ever  upon  them,  his  ears  open  to  their  prayers,  and  his 
almighty  power  and  grace  sufiicient  to  deliver  them.  But  "  he  that 
believeth,  must  not  miike  haste."  We  must  tarry  the  Lord's  leis- 
ure, and  be  strong  in  hope.  His  time  is  best.  It  is  God's  will  wc 
should  tell  him  of  our  trials  and  temptations.  After  we  have  done 
this,  "  we  have  need  of  patience  ;"  v,c  must  wait  for  the  fulfilment  of 
his  promise.     This  is  our  duty. 

Paul  prayed  again  and  again,  still  the  buiTclings  were  continued  ; 
his  mind  was  uneasy,  his  soul  distressed,  the  enemy  trluniphhig,  the 
Lord  makhig  as  though  he  heard  not.  Prayer  and  patience  must 
go  hand  in  hand.  INIurmuringsarC  the  offspring  of  unbelief.  Fret- 
fulness  ariseth  from  pride.  To  lie  humble  at  the  feet  of  Jesus  is  our 
wisdom.  Indulge  no  hard  thoughts  of  the  Saviour's  will  to  make 
thee  holy,  or  power  to  make  thee  happy,  thovigh  sin  and  satan,  like 
\uiwclcome  visitors,  daily  intrude — appear  in  various  shapes at- 
tack from  different  quarters,  and  seem  in  some  sort  to  gain  upon 
thee  in  thought,  w^ord,  or  action.  When  inwardly  discomposed  by 
unholy  tempers,  and  outwardly  harrasscd  by  various  temptations, 
poor  souls  are  ready  to  think  tlie  war  will  t-nd  in  their  destruction  ; 
that  Jesus  will  never  give  complete  victory.  But  most  assuredly 
he  will.  In  due  time  we  shall  reap,  if  we  faint  not.  Let  it  suffice, 
"  My  grace  is  sufficient  for  thee,"  saith  the  triumphant  head  in 
glory,  to  each  of  his  militant  members  on  earth.  Importunate  pray- 
ing, humble  waiting,  confident  believing,  comfortable  hoping,  are  the 
very  life  and  essence  of  a  christian.  And  let  his  besetting  tempta- 
tions or  conflicting  trials  be  what  they  may,  it  is  his  blessed  privi- 
lege to  write  with  the  pen  of  faith,  "  What  shall  separate  from  the 
love  of  Christ  ?  Nay,  in  all  these  things  wc  are  more  than  conquer- 
ors through  him  that  loved  us,"  Rom.  viii.  35,  37. 

Let  me  but  hear  my  Saviour  s.ay.  When  I  am  we.ik,  then  am  I  stron", 

Strentfth  shall  be  equal  to  thy  day  ;  Christ  is  my  stren-lh  and  Christ  my  sfin<' 

Then  I  rejoice  in  deep  distress,  "  Sufficient  is  my  grace,"  he  saith  :         " 

Leaning  on  all-sufficient  grace.  This  is  enoush  for  pravL-r  and  r:uili.    M 


j2  FEBRUARY  28. 

Jesus  said  tmfo  him  Verily  I  say  unto  thee.    To-day  thou 
shalt  bexvLth  me  in  Paradise. — Luke  xxiii.  43. 

Unbflief,  how  great  is  its  power  !  how  strong  its  influence  i 
it  would  forever  blind  the  eyes,  and  harden  the  heart  ugninst  Jesua 
and  his  grace  ;  but  "  he  shull  divide  the  spoil  with  the  strong." 
1  he  prr.phet's  prediction  is  here  cleurly  fulfilled  ;  the  sovereignty 
of  grac.  is  fully  disjUycd.  Our  Lord's  own  doctrine  is  truly  verified 
in  these  two  thieves :  "  One  shdl  be  taken,  the  Oiher  left,"  Matt. 
xxiv.  40.  Pride  is  the  companion  of  unbelief.  This  ket  ps  men  in 
obstinacy  ;  they  will  not  see  ;  they  ^^ill  not  bow  to  God's  sovereignty. 
But  this  is  a  comfortable  truth  to  self-abased  souls  :  God's  power  is 
their  hope.  But  doth  our  Lord  bring  sinners  to  glory  without  ioitb, 
ripentance,  and  holiness  ?  Doth  he  leave  his  people  in  their  sins  and 
rebellions  ?  No,  blessed  be  his  name  !  Jesus  is  exalted  to  be  a  Prince 
and  a  Saviour :  he  gives  repentance  and  rennssion  ot  sins.  "  So 
he  saves  his  people  from  their  sins."  So  he  makes  them  happy  in 
his  love  by  the  secret  power  of  the  Spirit's  inward  operatior.s.  Who 
made  these  tw(..  companions  in  sin,  these  blasphemers  of  Jesus  to  dif- 
fer ?  Grace,  sovereign,  distinguishing,  almighty  grace,  did  this 
wonderful  work  ;  "  and  it  is  marvellous  in  our  eyes."  How  rapid 
its  power  !  how  swift  its  race  !  in  one  momenta  railer  against  Jesus 
is  changed  to  a  believer  in  him;  a  proud  rebel  to  an  humble  suppliant; 
a  self-justifying  sinner  to  a  Christ-exalting  saint ;  in  a  moment  con- 
verted, pardoned,  sanctified,  and  nude  meet  for,  glory — to-day  hell- 
deserving,  to-day  in  Paradise.  Thus  this  thief  believed  with  his 
heart  unto  righteousness,  and  made  confession  with  his  mouth  unto 
salvation. 

What  hath  grace  done  ?  what  is  it  not  able  to  effect  ?  Sweetest 
encouragement  to  the  vilest  of  sinners,  to  look  lo  Jesus-;  strongest 
assurance  for  the  weakest  believers  to  abide  in  Itim.  "  Lord  Jesus, 
remember  me,"  proceeds  from  grace  ,in  the  heart  of  his  members — 
"  thou  shiilt  be  with  me  in  paradise,"  is  the  gracious  answer  from 
thctonguc  of  the  head.  It  was  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  that 
saved  this  ihief,  this  highwayman,  and  transkited  him  fiom  a  gallows 
on  earth  to  a  crown  in-  glory.  The  most  amiable  character,  the  most 
upright  person  hath  nothing  else  to  look  to,  to  hope  for,  or  trust  in, 
but  the  cross  of  Christ  alone  for  salvation.  This  is  all  our  glorying. 
By  the  death  of  Jesus  we  live.  The  same  Spirit  that  enables  the 
Boiil  to  believe  on  .Tcsus,  conforms  it  to  Jesus  in  likeness  and  love, 
and  sajiclifies  it  through  the  faith  of  Jesu<v,and  makes  it  "meet  for 
Ihe  heavenly  inheritance  with  the  shunts  in' glnry,"  Col.  I.  12. 


,     MARCH  1.  7S 

That  he  should  give  eternal  life  to  as  many  as  thou  hast 
given  him — John  xvii.  2, 

Deism,  or  a  rejection  of  God's  revealed  truth,  is  natural  to  us 
all.  Hence  some  have.  Said.  ♦  The  rcligioii  oi  nuLure  is  the  religion 
of  Satan  ;'  for  it  affects  n  spirit  of  pnde  and  iudcpcndence  of  God, 
and  rebellion  against  his  will.  Wliy  does  a  Deist  reject  the  \v\.y  of 
salvation  by  Jesus ;  Truly,  because  it  is  contrary  to  lus  ua  ural 
notions :  he  cannot  reconcile  it  to  tlie  uitriuutes  ana  perfections  of 
Deity.  Upon  the  very  same  lootiiig  niauy  professors  abhor,  with, 
the  utmost  indignation,  the  scripture-doctrnies  ol  Goa's  everlasting 
love,  unconditional  election  of  sinners,  and  tnc  Hnai  perseverance 
of  his  saints  to  eternal  Ufe,  by  Jesus.  Now,  both  Deists  i^id  Pnari- 
sees  proceed  upon  the  Sume  principles  ;  camui  reason,  pride,  and 
self-righteousness,  reign  in  their  hearts,  anu  binid  tlieir  eyes. 

But  it  is  the  believer's  mercy  to  see  the  truth  :  his  humility  to 
submit  to  it ;  and  his  duty  to  contend  for  it  ui  love.  Thus  our  elaer 
brother  Jesus  ever  acted,  imd  thus  he  prays  iii  subn>ibsioii  to  the 
will  of  his  Father,  and  our  Father.  Thout^h  he  iiuu  power  over  all 
flesh,  yet  only  to  those  "  the  many,  whom  tlie  Father  had  given 
him,  was  he  to  give  eternal  life."  They  were  given  to  him  as  his 
charge,  to  redeem,  sanctify,  and  save  :  tliey  were  given  to  him  as  the 
veward  of  all  his  toils  and  sufferings  :  they  are  the  precious  jewels 
which  compose  his  mediatorial  crown  :  not  one  of  tliem  can  be  lost. 
This  is  hnpossible.  Hence  he  glories  of  them,  "  Behold,  I,  and  the 
children  whom  the  Lord  hath  given  me,"  Isa.  viii.  18.  Hence  tliey 
are  distinguished  by  special  grace  ;  they  possess  the  gift  of  precious 
faith,  «  called  the  faith  of  God's  elect,"  Tit.  i.  1 — it  being  peculiar 
to  them  only.  By  tliis  they  enjoy  the  eense  of  the  Fatlier's  electing 
love,  the  knowledge  of  the  Son's  redemption,  and  the  comforting 
witness  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

One  of  the  most  excellent  of  all  human  composii  ions  ;  full  of  trutli 
and  sweetness,  and  well  worthy  the  constant  study  of  every  christian, 
is  the  irth  Article  of  the  church  of  England — 'Predestination  to 
life  is  the  everlasting  purpose  of  God,  wnercby  (before  the  foundations 
of  the  world  were  laid)  he  hath  constantly  decreed  by  his  counsel, 
secret  to  us,  to  deliver  from  curse  and  damnation  those  whom  he  hath 
chosen  in  Christ,  out  of  mankind,  and  to  bring  them  by  Christ  to 
everlasting  salvation,  as  vessels  made  to  horior  :  wherefore  they 
which  be  endued  with  so  excellent  a  benefit  of  God,  be  called  accortl- 
ing  to  God's  pui-pose,  by  his  Spirit  working  in  due  season.  '1  hey, 
through  grace,  obey  the  calling  ;  they  be  justified  ireely  ;  made  sons 
of  God  by  adoption  ;  made  like  the  image  of  Jesus  Christ,  they  walk 
religiously  m  good  works,  and  at  length,  by  God's  mercy  they  at- 
tain everlasting  felicity.'  "  Hold  fast  the  form  of  sound  words," 
3  Tim.  i.  1 3. 


74  MARCH  2. 

Therefore  all  things  whatsoever  you  would  that  men  should 
do  unto  you,  do  ye  even  so  to  them;  for  this  is  the  laiv 
and  the  prophets. — Matt.  vii.  12. 
It  is  an  observation  of  the  Heathens,  that  '  if  virtue  was  to  ap- 
pear in  liuman  form,  men  would  be  enamoured  with  her  beauty.* 
But,  alas  !  this  has  been  proved  to  be  an  idle  speculation.  For  that 
glorious  man  Jesus,  in  whom  every  virtue  centered,  who  was  adorn- 
ed with  every  grace  ;  who  went  about  doing  good,  and  lived  as  ne- 
ver man  did,  yet  "  he  was  despised  and  rejected  of  man."  Blindness 
of  mind  is  a  first-born  sin.  To  see  form  and  comeliness  in  Jesus,  is 
peculiar  to  enlightened  souls.  To  hear,  love,  and  obey  the  holy  pre- 
cepts Christ  taught,  ariseth  from  a  renewed  heart.  Morality  and 
good  works  are  at  the  tongue's  end  of  every  maja.  The  most  im- 
moral and  proHigate  are  ever  ready  to  applaud,  to  boast  of,  and  to 
trust  in,  even  what  ihcy  naver  practise.  It  is  a  certain  truth,  they 
boast  most  of  their  works  who  have  the  smallest  share  of  them. 

It  is  the  christian's  mercy  that  he  is  not  only  delivered  from  such 
awful  delusion  ;  but  what  Jesus  taught  outwardly,  in  word,  is  wrote 
inwardly  in  his  heart  by  the  power  of  the  Spirit.  Therefore  obedi- 
ence is  delightful  from  inv/ard  principles.  Though  he  is  not  called  to 
merit  the  love  of  God  by  his  moral  obedience,  yet  love  is  the  sweet, 
constraining  principle  to  moral  observances.  "  Love  is  the  fulfilling 
of  the  whole  law."  As  "  whatever  is  not  of  faith  is  sin,"  so  whatever 
prosecds  not  from  love,  is  conlravy  to  holiness.  An  immoral  chris- 
tian is  as  inconsistent  a  character  as  a  chaste  harlot,  liey.thens  might 
talk  of  the  golden  rule  ;  the  law  may  command  it ;  the  prophets  may 
instruct  in  the  nature  of  it ;  natural  men  may  pretend  to  admire  it; 
I)ut  heavenly  instructed  believing  souls  only,  arc  enabled  to  love  it  in 
the  spirit  of  tlieir  minds,  and  to  obey  it  in  their  life  and  practice; 

Verily,  disciple,  tliough  Jesus  gave  no  laws,  by  the  fulfilling  of 
which  thou  shouldst  obtain  a  title  to  eternal  life  ;  yet  he,  who  fulfill- 
ed all  righteousness  for  thy  salvation,  calls  thee  to  love  and  obey  his 
precepts.  The  moral  precepts  of  Jesus  arc  as  much  enjoined  by  him 
as  when  he  says  «'  Come  unto  me  all  that  arc,  heavy  laden,  and  I  will 
refresh  you."  In  obeying  this  we  find  comfort  to  our  soul.  In  ob- 
serving the  golden  rule  of  morality,  wc  bear  a  noble  testimony  to  ihc 
honor  of  Jesus,  to  the  glory  of  God,  and  to  the  good  of  our  fellow- 
rreat^i-es.  It  behoves  us  to  beware  lest  Jesus  ''  is  wounded  in  the 
liouse  of  his  friends,"  and  tJie  way  of  truth  be  evil  spoken  of,  by  a  con- 
trary conduct ;  for,  saith  Jesus,  "  Yc  are  my  friends,  if  ye  do  whaO 
soever  I  command  vou,"  John  xv.  14. 


.   MARCH  3.  75 

Let  us  iJierefore  come  bodily  to  the  throne-  of  gracey  that 
we  may  obtain  inercy,  and  Jind  grace  to  help  in  every 
time  oJ^jieed.-^Htb.  iv.  16. 

Very  few,  comparatively,  of  the  subjects  of  an  earthly  moiiarcli 
sre  pennitted  free  access  to  majesty.  This  is  too  high  an  honor  to 
be  made  common.  Kings'  courts  are  for  the  r.oble  and  eniinenL 
The  poor  and  destitute,  the  miserable  and  distressed  have  no  admis- 
sion there  ;  but,  ye  poor,  distressed  subjects  of  Jesus,  the  Kuisj  of 
kin^s,  it  is  not  thus  with  you.  Your  King,  though  ever  on  a  throne, 
wliere  majesty  and  glory  shine  with  the  brightest  lustre,  yet  grace, 
rn'crcy,  and  kindness  aVe  frfcly  dispensed  to  needy  souls.  Hither 
you  are  invited  to  come  ;  yea,  more,  to  come  bodily.  Why  ?  Be- 
cause you  are  "  rich,  and  increased  in  goods,  arid  have  need  of  noth- 
ing ?"  Nay,  but  because  your  King  knows  you  are  "  poor  and  mis- 
erable, blind  and  naked  creatures  in  yourselves"  day  after  day. 
Nothing  to  present  to  your  King  to  procure  his  favor — nothing  to 
bring,  which  deserves  his  acceptance  of  you.  But  he  loves  your  per- 
sons, and  has  riches  for  your  poverty,  eye-salve  for  your  blindnessi 
a  gaiTiient  for  your  nakedness,  a  robe  for  your  nigs,  and  mercy  for 
your  misery  ;  yea,  a  heaven  of  gmce  for  your  hell  of  deserts. 

Your  Mediator  with  his  blood,  your  High  Priest  with  his  much  in- 
cense, always  intercedes.  There  can  be  no  period  of  your  life  but 
what  is  a  time  of  need.  Who  has  obtained  all  the  mercy  ?  Who  hats 
found  all  the  grace  which  can  be  dispensed  from  this  throne  ?  Thou 
ait  still  a  sinner,  and  wantcst  mercy  and  grace  ;  thou  hast  still  need 
of  both  ;  and  as  thou  findest  thy  want  of  mercy,  thy  need  of  grace, 
hither  thou  mayest  always  repair  with  boldness ;  here  thou  rnayest 
ever  expect  a  rich  supply^;  for  God  th(?  Father,  is  the  fountain  of 
grace  and  mercy  ;  Jesus  thy  Saviour,  is  the  treasurer  ;  "  All  fulness 
of  grace  dwells  in  him  ;"  the  Spirit,  the  comforter,  is  the  dispense-/ 
of  mercy  and  grace.  Why  then,  O  soul,  that  backwardness,  that 
shyness,  which  too,  too  often  hangs  upon  thee  ^  Vv  iiat  privilege  s«» 
-great  ?  what  encouragement  so  strong  '. 

"Come  with  boldness,"  yet  consistent  with  awe  and  reverence. 
Boldness  of  faith  is  grounded  on  something  without  a  man,  on  nothing 
in  him  ;  not  on  the  fervent  heart  of  love,  the  blccdinf;  heart  of  repen- 
tance, the  active  life  of  obedience,  the  suffering  mind  cf  patience  ; 
but  faith  fixes  on  Josus,  and  the  believer  comes  v,  ilh  ah  empty  heaft 
ai;'l  hand  to  be  filltil  with  the  free  gifts  of  grace.  lie  may  come  with 
boldness  of  speech  to  Jesus  us  his  friend  and  brother,  freciv  to  pour 
l\is  complaints  into  his  loving  heart,  and  to  tell  him  of  all  Ins  sorrow. 
Sweetest  encouragement  from  the  friend  of  sinners  I  "  Come  unto 
me  all  ye  that  labour  and  arc  heavy  laden,"  (v.\o^\  t]c?5cd  premise  1- 
-   .iiid  I  will  give  vou  rest,"   Mutt.'x'i.  ?  • 


76  MARCH  4. 

Unto  you  who  believe,  he  is  precious. — I  Pet.  ii.  7- 

We  are  loved  with  firecious  love  ;  redeemed  by  firecious  blood; 
comforted  by  firecious  promises  ;  justified  hy precious  faith  :  yea, 
righicousness,  holiness,  heaven,  we  huve  all  by  union  with  d. precious 
.fesus.     Surely  tlien,  "  to  them  that  believe  he  is  precious." 

Say,  ye  sons  and  daughters  of  poverty  and  affliction,  is  not  this  a 
lime  when  IViends  grow  cool  and  desert  you  ?  But  in  such  a  season* 
did  you  find  one  friend  who  visited  you  in  your  distress — was  ever 
sayint?  kind  things  to  you — ever  doing  all  possible  good  for  you — 
Avhen  iu  prison  he  sought  you  out,  and  set  you  at  liberty — when  sick 
he  was  your  physician  and  healed  you — when  naked  he  clothed  you — 
wlien  in  abject  poverty  he  made  you  rich — thus  was  always  pleased 
Avhcn  he  could  make  you  easy  and  happy — say,  is  not  this  a  friend  of 
fen  thousand  ?  a  friend  who  stickcth  closer  tlian  a  brother  ?  Is  not 
'>uch  a  one  precious  indeed  ? 

All  this,  and  itTiiiitcly  more  than  all  this,  hath  Jesus  done  for  a  poor 
wretched  race  of  sinners.  1  herefore  he  is  indeed  to  tliem,  a  precious 
«  Friend,  who  loveth  at  all  times  :  the  precious  brother,  who  is  born 
for  adversity,"  Prov.  xvii.  17.  "  Jesus  Christ  is  the  same  yesterday, 
to-day  and  forever."  Precious  in  what  he  hath  done  yesterday — 
shed  his  blood  for  the  guilty — wrought  out  a  righteousness  to  clothe 
the  naked  soul.  To-d..y  he  is  pleading  our  cause  before  the  throne, 
where  "he  ever  lives  to  save  to  the  uttermost  ail  them  that  come  un- 
to God  by  him,"  lleb.  vii.  25.  He  is  making  love-visits,  sending  kind 
tokens,  refreshh^.g  manifestations  of  his  favor,  causing  poor  hearts 
to  rejoice  in  him,  filling  them  with  peace  and  comfort  through  him. 
O  he  is  inestimably  precious  in  what  he  is  doing,  and  in  what  he  will 
do  ;  for  Jesus  will  never  leave  one  of  liis  members  till  hejias  brought 
them  all  safe  through  a  wicked  woi  Id,  given  them  the  victory  over  sin, 
satan,  and  death,  laid  lodged  Uieir  precious  souls  in  the  amis  of  his 
embraces  ;  "  for  where  I  am,  there  shall  all  my  servants  be,"  saitli 
our  loving  .Saviour.  (J  who  can  say  how  infinitely  precious  Jesus  is 
to  tire  saints  above  1  This. we  must  die  to  know.  Though  "  now  wc 
know  but  in  part,  and  speak  but  in  part ;"  yet  wliat  we  do  see  and 
know  by  faith,  \ve  can  say,  "  he  is  precious  indeed." 

However  distres?5ing  our  circumstances  to  sense  and  feeling,  yet 
Lis  eye  sceth  us,  his  heart  of  love  is  towards  us,  he  is  Immanuel,  God 
wiHn  us.  Ave  wc  sick  of  sin  ?  he  is  our  physician.  Is  sin  our  burden  ? 
he  is  our  mighty  deliverer.  Doth  the  law  accuse  and  condemn  us  ?  he 
is  the  Lord  our  ri^hteous7iess.  Do  lust  and  corruption  rebel  against 
us?  he  isour  sanctificatjon.  Do  the  world,  sin,  and  r,atan  threaten 
f)ur  destruction  ?  he  is  Jcsufy  our  Saviour,  our  salvation;  euro/.' 
and  in  ally  Col.  iii.  11. 


,  MARCH  5.  77 

^Ao  hath  saved  us,  and  called  us  with  a  holy  ealling,'^ 
2  Tim.  i.  9. 

Such  as  our  natural  notions  of  sin  and  danger  arc,  sufh  is  our 
judgment  of  salvation  and  deliverance.  In  our  nuturul  state  we  see 
only  the  fruits  of  sin  in  outwurd  actions  ?  but  consider  not  the  cor- 
rupt, cursed  root  from  whence  they  spring.  Hence  poor  souls  thh.k 
it  no  great  and  difficult  matter  to  be  saved  :  especiiJly  if  they  have 
some  specious  shew  of  the  external  adornings  of  sobrieiy,  morality, 
and  religion.  Happy  sovds,  who  have  escaped  this  diuigerous  rock  of 
pride  and  self-deceit  !  for  when  the  scales  of  ignorance  iall  from  the 
eyes,  and  the  veil  of  unbelief  is  taken  off  the  heart;  when  the  true 
light  shineth  in  the  mind,  and  the  purity  and  spirituality  of  God's 
holy  law  is  made  manifest  in  tlie  conscience,  then  the  sinner  sees  his 
state  truly  desperate.  Sin  appears  exceeding  sinful;  justly  deserved 
hell  and  wrath  are  most  dreadful ;  and  most  deplorable  of  all,  he  finds 
he  must  utterly  sink  into  despair,  and  perish,  for  any  thing  he  is  able 
to  do  to  save  his  soul.  "  God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner  1"  is  the  cry 
of  his  heart,  "  In  that  day  shall  the  deaf  hear  the  vords  of  the  book  ; 
and  the  eyes  of  the  blind  shall  see  out  of  obscurity,"  saith  the  Lord, 
Isa.  xxix.  18.  The  book  of  God's- eternal  counsel  shall  be  disclosed  j 
his  purpose  and  decree  of  salvation  shall  be  made  known  by  his  re- 
vealed truth  to  the  heart;  the  joyful  sound  of  salvation  by  Jesus  shall 
be  heard  in  the  soul,  and  the  poor  sinner  shall  see  Christ's  finished 
work  as  his  only  hope.  Love  presided  in  the  counsel.  Grace  shall 
reign  to  salvation.  The  gospel  trumpet  sounds  reconciliation  to  un- 
godly sinners,  salvation  for  lost  souls.  Their  good  works  produced  it 
not ;  their  sins,  however  numerous  iuid  great,  shall  not  deprive  them 
of  it.   We  arc  first  saved,  then  called  to  kitow  it,  and  glorify  God  for  it. 

When  called  with  an  effectual  calling  to  Jesus,  by  the  \\ovd  and 
power  of  the  spirit,  we  possess  and  enjoy  hope  in  God,  and  comfort 
from  him.  Effects  prove  their  cause.  A  bold,  confident  assurajice 
'  that  I  am  elected,  I  know  my  sins  are  pardoned,'  is  not  of  the  essence 
of  gospel  fuith,  or  that  applies  the  comforts  of  gospel  salvation  to  the 
sou!  ;  but  election  to  salvation  is  made  manifest  by  '•'  a  holy  calling." 
Paul  did  not  only  confidently  assert  he  was  an  apostle  ;  but,  says  hej 
"  truly  the  signs  of-an  apostle  were  wrought  among  you,"  2  Cor.  xii. 
12.  And  verily,  disciple,  if  thou  art  saved  in  purpose  and  decree 
from  etei-nity,  redeemed  by  Jesus  in  time*^  cfTcctual  vocation  is  the 
consequence  ;  whereby  thou  art  called  to  the  knowledge  of  a  holy 
Saviour  by  a  holy  faith  ;  art  a  partaker  of  a  holy  nature,  and  wilt 
"  shew  thy  failh  by  thy  works."  Inward  purity  of  heart  and  outward 
holiness  of  life  will  ever  be  the  study  and  joy  of  thy  soul.  "  Without 
holiness,  no  man  shall  see  the  Lord,"  Heb.  xii.   14. 

Vol,  T.  K 


78  MARCH  6. 

Striving  against  sin. — Heb.   xii.   4. 

'  What  poor,  low,  legal  work  is  tliis  ?'  say  some,  <  We  arc  hap- 
py in  Christ  without  such  a  strife.'—' We  are  perfect,  fully  bora 
agiiin,  perlectly  suuctifitd  and  freed  from  all  sin  ;  tlierefore  our  strife 
is  at  c.n  end,'  say  others.  Alas  !  poor,  honest,  upright  christiiUi,  thou 
art  ever  in  danger  ;  on  the  right  hand,  of  licentiousness  ;  on  the  left 
hand,  of  pride  and  delusion,  and  also  from  a  deceitful  heart  within. 
Wliat  with  tlie  white  devil  of  pride,  and  the  black  devil  of  lust,  thou 
art  ever  li.ble  to  be  seduced  from  the  truth.  What  a  mercy  to  have 
a  true  touciistone  to  ti  y  men  and  doctrines  by  !  The  experience  of 
christians  of  old,  as  recorded  by  the  Spirit  of  truth,  affords  us  quite 
difl'i  rent  sentiments  of  the  u.fluence  of  gospel-gr^ice. 

T;ie  regenerate  soul  being  restored  to  the  life  arjd  love  of  God  by 
the  faith  of  Jesus,  ever,  while  it  is  in.prisotied  in  the  body,  is  sur- 
rounded, within  and  without,  with  foes  of  every  kind.  These,  like 
mig-hty  combatants,  strive  and  fight  against  its  i-est,  holiness  and 
comfort.  Here  the  christian,  under  the  influence  of  tlie  Spirit,  can- 
not, will  not  dare  be  passive  to  suffer  sin,  in  its  tyrannizing  nature,  to 
lord  it  over  him  :  l)Ut  he  will  be  active  :  fighting,  strivuig,  wrestling 
ag.iinst  his  bosom  inmate,  his  worst  foe.  in-dwellhig  sin.  It  reflects 
a  dishonor  upon  the  author  and  the  grat  e  of  taith,  to  suppose  that  ife 
leaves  the  soul  in  an  idle  kind  of  waiting,  or  melancholy  sitting  still ; 
ortljdt  it  can  be  satisfied  with  carral  gratifications,  and  sensual  de- 
lights of  a  perishing  world.  No:  being  alive  to  God,  possessing^ 
the  faith  of  Jesus,  we  shall  strive  for  the  mastery,  and  be  temperate 
in  all  things.  Our  very  sighs  and  groans,  sensible  weariness  and 
heaviness,  evidence  our  conflicts  and  struggles  ;  our  cry  to  Jesus  foi- 
st'etigth  proves  our  wisdom,  and  forebodes  our  victory  ;  our  patient 
enduring,  submissive  waiting,  steady  persevering,  and  constant 
striving,  till  deliverance,  perfect  deliverance  is  granted,  shew  that 
"  wc  have  the  mind  of  Christ" — the  life  of  Christ — the  Spirit  of 
Christ ;  tliat  we  are  the  beloved  bretlu-en  of  Christ,  and  tliat  soon 
■\vc  shall  be  for  ever  with  Christ. 

Now  the  Lord's  promise  is,  ''  I  will  drive  out  your  foes  by  little 
and  little."  In  a  very,  very  short  time,  (O  chrisiiiui,  lift  up  thy  head 
with  joy,  thy  redemption  drawelh  nigh)  the  joyful  sound  of  perfect 
victory  shall  be  proclaimed,  "  ai.d  the  enemies  you  this  day  see,  feel, 
an(l.groan  under,  strive  and  fight  agahist,  you  shall  see  them  n» 
more  for  ever." 

Lord,  \  CKtccm  tliyjiidfjments  right,  In  vain  v^bosst  perfection  here. 
Aim!  nil  tliy  statutes  just :  -Wliile  sin  defiles  our  tVanic  ; 

Thcnt-c  I  in.-niitiiin  :\  constant  light  And  sinks  onr  virtues  down  so  far, 
Willi  cv'ry  ttalt'ring  lust.  They  scarce  deserve  the  name. 


MARCH  7.  79 

My  voice  shah  thou  hear  in  the  juorn'mpr,  Q  T.ord ;  in  *he 
morning  will  I  direct  nuj  prayer  unto  thee  anC  iniU  look 
up. — Psalm  V.  3 

In  the  Lord  we  all  Jive,  move,  and  have  our  beinij;; ;  therefore 
it  is  the  indispensable  duly  of  ail  men  to  culi  upon  tif  n.me  ot  il.e 
Lord  in  pruyer.  But  what  is  a  duty  from  n^tuie  vi,d  rtuscn,  ii  es- 
teemed a  rich  privilege,  an  inestiuicbie  blessii;g»  by  the  ciViidrfi,  ut' 
grace.  The  pouiing-out  of  the  Spirit  of  gr.xe  ui.a  siippiic  i".«i  .  is 
one  of  those  spiritual  blessings  whertwiih  they  aic  bjesscu  li.  Li.ist 
Jesus.  In  the  exercise  of  this,  saints  in  ullages  have  exptrici  cvd 
sweet  fellowship  and  connBtniion  with  God,  and  huve  been  uiduij^^d 
with  many  mercies  which  they  sought  ioi  lioni  him.  ''  Ai;cl  ti  is  is 
the  confidence  that  we  have  hi  Jesus,  that  if  we  ask  any  thing  ,c- 
cording  to  his  will,  he  heareth  us,"    I  John  v.  14. 

This  duty  seems  to  be  the  first  employ  of  David's  heart.  He  Ijc- 
j^an  the  day  in  prayer :  as  soon  as  his  eyes  were  favoied  wiiti  the 
morning  light,  he  directed  them  to  look  up  unto  th<'  Lord  :  .i'u-r  las 
tongue  had  been  locked  up  in  silent  sleep,  the  first  soma  of  his  voice 
breaks  forth  in  address  to  his  God.  Why  is  this  holy  nivai  s  pi  c  ice 
recorded  ?  Doubtless  it  was  written  for  our  instruction;  to  rend,,ii  us 
tiiat  it  is  sweet  to  begin  the  day  with  God.  Bettei  to  go  ti  om  a 
tlirone  of  grace  into  tlie  business  of  life,  than  after  worldly  conceii.s 
have  intruded  on  our  minds.  Wisest  to  seek  and  seive  our  best 
friend  first.  But  is  not  this  an  affecting  tiutli  r  Though  a  tl^ont  of 
2jrace  is  ever  accessible  ;  though  believers  are  always  acct  pu.bie 
tlicreto  in  Christ;  tliough  we  have  the  greatest  encouragen  erts  to 
draw  nigh  to  God  ;  though  we  have  so  many  strong  con  updoiis, 
powerful  lusts,  and  sinful  passions,  ever,  ready  to  break  out,  yet  that 
we  should  be  so  often  beset  with  backwardness  to  prayer  !  May  we 
not  justly  charge  many  of  the  slips  and  miscarriages,  suis  and  tail- 
ings, the  breakings  forth  of  our  unholy  tempers,  to  the  neglect  of 
this  duty  ?  How  carefully  oughtest  thou,  O  soul,  to  begin  the  di.y 
with  seeking  the  power  of  the  Spirit  to  enable  thee  to  mortify  ti.y 
sins,  and  to  live  unto  God.  Thou  compiJnest  of  deadness  and  bar- 
renness of  soul ;  who  can  enliven  and  make  thee  fruitful  but  the  dt  ar 
Lord  whom  thou  xieglectest  to  cry  unto  ?  If  thine  outward  wdk  is  a 
reproach  unto  thee,  if  the  peace  of  thy  mind  is  frequently  rutlled  and 
disturbed  through  want  of  peace  and  power  from  Jesus,  doth  not  thy 
rloset  testify  against  thee,  as  too  much  neglected  ?  Muy  not  this  ac- 
cusation be  justly  charged  upon  us  ?  "  Ye  have  not,  because  ye  ask 
not,"  James  iv.  2.  But  our  beloved  invites  ;  his  command  is  for 
•ur  blessing.  »  Ask  and  ye  shall  receive,  that  your  joy  may  be  full,'" 
John  xvi.  2'1.' 


80  MARCH  8. 

But  ye  have  not  so  learned  Christ ;  if  so  be  that  ye  have 
heard  him.  and  have  been  taught  by  him^  as  the  truth 
is  in  Jesus  — Eph.  iv.  20,  21. 

Jesus,  the  great  prophet  of  his  church,  speaks  to  the  hearts  of 
his  members.  This  is  his  superior  excellence  to  all  other  pi  ophets, 
for  they  can  only  speak  to  the  ear.  To  attend  a  preached  gospel  is 
our  constant  duty.  But  all  our  profit  and  happniess  arise  iron)  hear- 
ing the  Saviour's  voice  to  our  souis.  Under  the  outward  ministryj 
inwardly  to  listen  to  the  teachings  of  his  Lord,  should  be  every  chris- 
tian's concern  !  Many  cry,  O  what  an  excellent  preacher  I  what  a 
charming  sermon  ?  But  why  ?  Didst  thou  hear  Jesus  spetik  I  did  he 
teach  ?  hast  thou  heard  somewhat  from  him  ?  Thou  knowest,  disci- 
ple, though  a  Paul  plants,  though  an  Apollos  waters,  yet  it  is  the 
Saviour's  presence  and  power  that  gives  the  increase  of  iaith,  love, 
peace,  and  joy — It  is. 

So  the  Saviour  is  pleased  to  teach  ;  so  disciples  love  to  learn. 
Then  is  it  well  with  the  soul ;  for  it  refuseth  to  act  and  walk  after 
the  course  of  this  present  evil  world  ;  for  he  says,  the  Saviour  hath 
taught  me  better.  Why  does  he  take  pains  to  teach  me  the  love  of 
his  cross  ?  Why  hath  he  instructed  me  in  the  truths  of  his  salvation  ? 
Why  hath  he  made  known  to  my  poor  heart  the  unsearchable  riches 
of  his  grace,  redemption  of  his  blood,  forgiveness  of  sins,  acceptance 
with  God,  and  peace  and  love  from  him  ?  And  do  I  possess  "  a  good 
hope  through  grace,"  that  as  verily  as  I  have  learned  Christ,  heard 
him,  been  t.uglu  by  him,  and  know  the  truth  as  in  him,  I  shall  soon 
be  with  him,  Aficr  all  this,  can  I  walk  in  the  vanity  of  my  mind  ? 
can  1  turn  aside  from  the  free-grace  truths  of  the  gospel,  to  have  my 
teeth  set  on  edge  with  the  sour  grapes  of  corrupt  human  systems  ? 
Or  canst  thou  ever  think,  disciple,  that  the  liberty  of  the  Spirit  tends 
to  licentiousness  of  the  flesh,  or  that  grace  makes  sin  less  hateful ;  or 
tliat  a  holy  walk,  and  obedient  life,  doth  not  flow  from  the  doctrines 
and  teachings  of  our  Suviour  ?  Surely,  thou  must  know,  that  as  the 
work  of  Jesus'  life  and  death  was  to  justify  sinners,  so  tlie  teaching 
of  his  Spirit  is  to  sanctify  them.  And  verily  if  this  is  done  inwardly 
on  thy  soul,  it  will  be  evidenced  outwordly  on  thy  life,  in  separating 
thyself  as  a  holy  vessel,  meet  for  the  master's  use,  from  all  sensuality 
and  uncleanness  ;  in  "-putting  off  t!ie  old  man  with  his  deeds,"  and  in 
sci-vi;^g  our  God  and  Saviour  "in  newness  of  the  Spirit,  and  not  in  the 
oldncss  of  the  letter,"  Rom.  yii.  e. 

Order  my  footstep*  by  tliv  ivonl,  A  holy  fellov/sUip  with  thee, 

An.l  make  my  l.eai-t  sine   re ;  Uy  Lord,  mr.v  1  enjoy  : 

Lef  sm  have  no  dominion,  ^.ord,  Th.is  I  may  ever  learn  to  be 

U'lt  keep  my  consc  ie    c  ^lea,-.  J),.aa  to  all  ciufui  jov.                  ~  M' 


MARCH  9.  81 

T^herefore  the  redeemed  of  the  Lord  shatl  return  and  come 
with  singing  to  Zion,  and  everlasting  jojj  shall  be  upon 
their  head ;  they  shall  obtain  gladness  and  joy^  and 
sorrow  and  mourning  shall  jiee  away. — Isa.  ii.  11. 

«  A  GOOD  word  makcth  the  hcait  glad,"  Prov.  xii.  25.  This 
is  true  of  the  good  word  of  gospcl-gruce.  Unscriptural  notions  of 
conditional  grace  and  salvatiou  deject  the  spirit  ot  sensible  sinners. 
God's  free-grace  dtclarutions  and  absolute  promises  revive  the  hearts 
of  contrite  ones.  Man's  its,  suppositions,  and  par^uventures,  tend 
to  counteract  God's  shulh  and  w?7/.v,  his  gracious  purposes  and  lov- 
ing determinations.  Where  the  word  of  a  king  is,  there  is  power  : 
'*  And  who  may  say  unto  him,  what  dost  thou  f "  Eccles.  viii-  4.  In 
the  word  of  Jehovali  there  is  almighty  power  ;  "  He  doth  according 
to  his  will  in  the  army  of  heaven,  and  among  the  inhabitants  of  the 
earth  ;  none  c£in  stay  his  hand,  or  say  unto  him,  What  dost  thou  ?" 
Dan   iv.  35. 

God's  I  vcill  and  you  shall,  arc  the  slay,  the  strength,  the  food 
of  faith.  It  is  the  joy  of  believing  hearts  to  set  their  seal  to  God's 
free  promises,  and  say,  Amen,  so  be  it.  The  arm  of  the  Lord,  the 
strength  of  Jehovah,  which  hath  dtone  wonders  of  old,  is  not  shorten- 
ed that  it  cannot  save  ;  that  is  our  mercy.  It  is,  it  ever  will  be 
stretched  forth  in  power ;  that  is  our  comfort.  Every  redeemed 
soul  "  shall  return  to  mount  Sion,  to  the  general  cssembiy  of  tlic 
church  of  the  ^rst-born,  which  are  enrolled  in  heaven  ;  ta;d  to  God, 
the  Judge  of  all  ;  and  to  Jesus  the  mediator  of  the  new  covenant,  and 
to  the  blood  of  sprinkling,"   Heb.  xii.  23. 

All  the  objects  of  the  Father's  love  are  the  subjects  of  the  Son's 
redemption,  and  shall  be  partakers  ot  thd  Spirit's  power  and  conso- 
lation In  returning  to  Jesus  they  shall  find  rest,  and  peace,  and 
joy.  By  the  sprinkling  of  his  blood,  sorrow  and  mourning  flee  away 
from  their  consciences.  Then  how  sweetly,  how  joyfully  do  we  sing 
the  song  of  Moses  ?  Exod.  xv.  1 — "  The  Lord  is  my  strength  and 
my  song  :  he  is  become — what  ?  even  my  salvation,^'  8cc.  How 
comfortably  do  our  souls  join  tiie  triumphant  song  of  the  victorious 
Lam'),  Rev.  i.  5. — "  Unto  him  -.lat  loved  us,  and  washed  us  froni 
our  sins  in  his  own  blood,  and  hath  made  us  kings  and  priest  unto 
God,  and  his  Father,  to  him  be  glory  and  dominion  for  ever  and  ever. 
Amen."  What  strong  consolation !  what  full  assurance  is  proclaim- 
ed from  the  mouth  of  the  Lord  !  Every  sentence  contains  a  shall ; 
not  it  may  be,  b»it  it  shall  be.  Sinners  feel  the  power  of  grnce,  which 
melts  hearts  of  stone  into  flesh ;  saints  feel  the  comfort  of  love,  which 
turns  mournful  penitents  into  joyful  souls.  "  All  things  are  ot  God, 
who  lulh  reconciled  us  to  himself  bvJcsUb  Christ,"  2  Cor.  v.  18. 


82  MARCH  10. 

Folhxv peace  with  oil  men.  and  holinpss.  -without  which  no 
man  shall  sec  the  Lord.— tlcb.  xii.   11. 

"  He  that  bilievcth  shull  be  saved."  This  is  the  immutable 
decree  of  the  God  of  truth.  As  no  man  shall  see  the  Lord  without 
h'line-s,  so  no  man  can  be  holy  without  fijlh  in  Jesus.  But  this  is 
llie  peculiar  blessedness  of  eveiy  believer,  he  is  holy,  he  is  "  sanc- 
tified i}y  faith  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus,"  Acts.  xxvi.  18.  All  such 
are  "  called  to  be  saints,"  1  Cor.  i.  2 — called  to  holiness  of  life  and 
conversation.  There  are  no  holy  unbelievers,  nor  unholy  believers. 
Gospel-exhortations  are  suited  to  the  spiritual  state  of  regenerate 
souls.  They  are  subjects  of  the  Prince  of  peace  ;  arc  at  peace  with 
God  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  As  agreeable  to  their  charac- 
ter, to  the  will  of  God,  and  to  the  peace  of  their  own  minds,  they  are 
ever  to  sluly  and  endeavor  to  follow  peace  with  all  men,  consistent 
with  faith  and  a  good  conscience.  So  of  holiness  :  being  holy  mem- 
bers of  the  holy  Jesus,  beloved  children  of  a  holy  God,  subjects  of 
a  holy  Spirit,  called  by  a  holy  gospel,  partakers  of  a  holy  Lath,  heirs 
of  a  holy  kingdom ;  therefore  all  the  way  of  their  journey  thither  tliey 
are  to  follow  holiness.  Partaking  of  the  root  ol  holiness,  by  union 
with  Jesus,  ali  the  fi  uits  of  holiness  spring.  Christ  is  the  way  where- 
jn  we  are  to  walk  :  conformity  to  his  image  is  the  delight  of  new-born 
souls  ;  but  we  are  subjects  of  a  nature  which  is  averse  to  tliis.  Still 
we  know  that  holiness  and  hcippincss  are  ever  inseparable.  Holiness 
is  our  vocation,  our  business,  and  is  ever  to  be  our  constiu^t  aim  ; 
though  not  to  rccommcr.d  us  to  God  to  procure  his  favor,  or  as  a 
condition  of  our  acceptance  in  his  sight,  but  that  we  may  glorify  him 
"who  hath  made  us  accepted  in  the  beloved." 

Saints  arc  not  to  indulge  themselves  on  the  bed  of  sloth,  dream 
of  heaven,  big  with  hopes  of  a  fool's  paradise,  and  vainly  wish  to  cast 
themselves  out  of  Delilah's  K.p  of  worldly  pleasures  and  sinful  grati- 
fications, into  Abraham's  bosom  of  heavenly  joys :  but  we  are  stu- 
d'.ousiy  to  avoid  every  thing  which  is  contrary  to  the  nature  of  true 
holiness,  and  ever  to  be  diligent  in  the  use  of  such  meiuis,  which, 
tlirough  the  power  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  may  increase  our  love  of  holi- 
ness, and  cau.sc  us  to  abound  in  the  practice  of  it.  Ti'ue,  we  have 
iiii>umerable  enemi  es  from  within  and  without  to  oppose  our  progrciis 
in  h  .liness.  So  much  the  more  need  of  diligence  and  activity. 
\V^  know  that  the  delicious  fruits  of  happiness  grow  only  in  the 
paths  of  h  Uiiicss  ;  and  the  Lord's  strength  which  is  for  us,  is  greater 
than  all  that  is  against  us  Ever  remember  a  throne  of  grace  is 
always  open  to  us,  and  we  are  exhorted  to  draw  nigh  to  God  with 
boldness.  Grtal  and  gracious  promises  are  given  us.  All  arc  to 
enrou!  age  us  "  to  sevvr  God  wiiiiout  fear  in  holiness  and  righteous- 
Luke  i.  74.,  75. 


MARCH  11.  83 

If  ye  keep  my  commandments^  ye  shall  abide  in  my  love  : 
even  as  I  have  kept  my  Father's  commandments  and 
abide  in  his  love  — John  xv.  10. 

Do  any  reproach  us*  concerning  our  hope  of  eternal  life,  that 
we  do  not  expect  it  by  free  grace  and  promise  only,  but  clogged  with 
terms  and  conditions  which  we  must  fulfil  ?  Do  they  suy  we  are 
only  dreaming  legalists,  under  the  legal  yoke,  and  not  Christ's  IVee- 
men  ?  We  answer — We  not  only  tulk  of,  but  we  enjoy  Christ ;  we 
do  not  merely  prute  about  faith,  but  we  partuke  of  its  power  ;  not 
only  hear  of  love  described,  but  we  feel  its  irifluence  ;  liot  barely  look 
for  salvation  from  sin,  but  we  enjoy  it  by  the  faith  of.  Jesus  naio  ; 
and  we  know  that  we  shall  partake  of  salvation  with  eternal  gloiy. 
For  he  who  never  spoke  one  word  in  vain,  hath  pronounced  of  all  his 
members,  «  As  the  t  ather  hatli  loved  me,  so  have  I  loved  you. 
Continue  ye  in  my  love."  And  the  loving  heart  of  Jesus  is  so  set 
upon  our  being  always  happy,  that  he  directs  us  how  to  act,  sO  as 
constantly  to  abide  in  the  sweet  sense  of  his  love ;  that  so  we  may  en- 
joy still  greater  measures  of  it  in  our  hearts.  If  ye  keep  my  com- 
mandments, so  shall  it  be  with  you. 

Jesus  ever  abode  in  his  Father's  love  :  this  he  manifested  by  do- 
ing the  Father's  will,  and  keeping  his  commandments.  In  his  work 
of  obedience  he  received  this  testimony  from  the  Father,  «  This  is 
my  well-beloved  Son,  in  whom  I  am  well  pleased."  So  Aljniham 
had  this  blessed  witness  borae  him  by  the  Lord.  "  Now  I  know  thou 
fearest  God."  And  also  a  repetition  of  the  grand  promise  given  him 
upon  the  obedience  of  his  faith.  Gen.  xxii.  15,  18. 

So  also  shall  disciples  find  the  testimony  of  the  comforting  Spirit^ 
in  the  way  of  keeping  the  commaiidmentS'  of  Jesus.  Though  not  for, 
yet  "in  keeping  thy  commandments  there  is  great  reward,"  Psalm 
xix.  1 1.  I'his  David  well  knew  by  happy  experience.  So  saints  do 
experience. 

Faith  and  love  are  the  commandments  of  Jesus.  To  believe  in, 
rely  upon,  confide  and  trust  in  the  Lord  Jesus  from  hour  to  hour, 
this  is  to  honor  him.  To  love  God  and  one  another  as  his  children, 
is  the  true  badge  of  the  disciples  of  the  loving  Saviour  ;  this  is  to 
obey  him.  The  nrore  loving  faith,  and  faithful  love  to  Jesus  abide  in 
our  hearts,  so  much  the  more  will  peace,  consolation,  and  joy  be 
increased  in  our  souls. 

Do  any  deem  this  legality  ?  May  the  God  of  grace  fill  our  hearts 
with  such  legality  day  by  day  !  so  shall  we  be  truly  evangelized. 
"  As  ye  have  therefore  received  Christ  Jesus  the  Lord,  so  walk  ye  in 
him,  rooted  and  built  up  in  him,  and  established  in  the  faith,  as  yc  have 
been  taught,  aliounding  therein  with  thanksgiving;,"  Col.  ii.  6,  7. 


84  MARCH  12. 

The  King's  daughter  is  all  glorious  within;  her  clothifig  is 
of  wrought  gold. — Pbaim  xlv.   13, 

Thus  Jehovah,  tlie  sovereign  Lord  of  all,  who  "  calleth  things 
that  be  not,  as  though  they  were,"  speuketh  by  his  Spirit  ot  his 
church.  By  the  pen  of  the  royal  prophet,  the  Lord  describes  the 
beauty  zind  glory  of  all  his  members.  They  are  viewed  by  God  the 
Fatlier,  from  all  eternity,  in  Christ  Jesus  the  heavenly  briciegioom. 
They  arc  beloved  and  chosen  in  him — "  saved  in  the  Lord  Jesus  with 
an  everlasting  salvation,"  Isa.  xlv.  17.  They  i,.re  made  aii  giori- 
ous  within  ;  without,  they  are  most  richly  clothed. 

What  the  church  is  viewed  from  eternity,  that  each  member  is 
destined  to,  and  shall  be  made  in  time.  For  the  establishing  and  com- 
fort of  our  faith  and  hope,  which  is  in  God,  here  is  a  sweet,  a  near 
and  dear  relation  spoken  of,  and  which  ever  subsists  :  the  church  is 
the  King  of  glory's  daughters,  "  the  Lamb's  wife,"  Rev.  xxi.  9— 
according  to  the  immutable  law  of  love,  which,  like  the  laws  of  the 
Medes  and  Persians,  changeth  not.  Therefore  she  shall  possess 
and  enjoy  her  portion  and  dowry,  which  is  designed  for  her.  Though 
in  herself  she  is  black  and  deformed,  yet  is  the  most  gloriously  array- 
ed with  the  perfect  comeliness  which  Jesus  puts  upon  her,  Ezek. 
xvi.  14.  But  she  knows  not  of,  nor  glories  in  tliis  outward  clothing,  ♦ 'I 
till  she  is  all  glorious  within.  When  the  blessed  Spirit  hath  quick-  ' 
encd,  enlightened,  and  possessed  the  soul,  of  the  rich  graces  of  faith 
and  love,  then  in  a  holy  triumph  of  heavenly  joy  ^nd  ecstacy  she  cries 
•ut,  "  I  will  greatly  rejoice  in  the  Lord,  my  «oul  shall  be  joyful  in 
my  God  ;  for  he  hath  clothed  me  with  the  garments  of  salvation,  he 
hath  covered  vie  with  the  robe  of  righteousness,  as  a  bridegroom 
decketh  himself  with  ornaments,  and  as  a  bride  adoraeth  himself 
with  her  jewels,"  Sec.  Isa.  Ixi.  10. 

Thus  the  righteousness,  the  perfect  righteousness  of  Jesus  is  our  j 
clothing ;  like  gold  for  its  value  imd  purity ;  like  wrought  gold,  being  "I 
the  %voik  of  the  life  of  Jesus,  to  an  exact  conformity  of  the  perfect 
law.  -  Our  inward  glory  lies  in  the  graces  pf  the  Holy  Spirit,  in  the 
hidden  man  of  the  heart.  By  tlie  former,  we  have  a  title  to  glory;  by 
the  latter,  we  have  evidence  of  interest  in,  and  mcetness  lor  tiie 
kingdom.  Thus  faith's  views  are  struck  from  the  impression  of  the 
royal  signet  of  God's  word.  Woe  to  licentious  lounges,  who  whould 
dcjxive  the  church  of  her  Inivnrd  glory  and  holiness.  Woe  to  those 
sacrilegious  hands  of  Pharisees,  who  would  strip  the  church  of  her 
glorious  robe  of  imputed  righteousness.  "  For,  saith  the  Lord,  I 
will  be  inuo  licr  a  wall  of  fire  round  about,  and  will  be  the  glory  in 
the  midst  of  her.  He  that  toucheth  you  touchelh  the  apple  of  his 
eve,"  Zei'h.  ii.  5,  8,  '        ~ 


MARCH  13.  85 

jigain  he  I'umteth  a  certain  ddij,  saying.  To-day,  if  ye  will 
hear  his  voice.  —  Hcb.  iv.  7. 

No  marvel,  that  union'j;  other  devices  of  siitiin  to  distress  dinners, 
and  cause  them  to  despair  of  Ciod's  mercies  in  Cmist  Jesus,  he  urt;es 
tliis  ulso  '  Your  dciy  of  grace  is  p^st,  the  time  ol  your  visitation  is 
ended.'  Heixe  many  poor  souls  havt  been  diove  lo  their  wits  cud. 
And  have  r,ot  some  preachers  been  so  too,  who  huve  increased  such 
persons'  feurs  by  speaking  in  a  most  unscripturai  manner  on  this 
point  ?  But  such  arc  the  effects  of  human  systems,  and  tiee-wiil  no- 
tions, with  their  offers  of  Christ,  their  plotters  ot  grace.  1  heard 
one  declare,  <  This  is  the  1;  stoifer  ;  if  it  is  not  now  uccepied,  eternal 
da:Tination  will  be  the  inevitable  consequence.'  Does  tiius  preaching- 
hell  and  damnation  make  converts  to  Jesus  ?  From  such  harsh,  un- 
warrantable declarations,  tliese  unscripLural  conclusions  have  been 
drawn  by  sensible  sinners,  <  that  they  have  withstood  the  oilers  of 
mercy,  and  their  day  of  grace  is  for  ever  ended  ;  and  th-.t  there  is  no 
place  for  repentance,  though  they  seek  it  carefully  with  tears.' 

Most  injurious  thoughts  of  a  God  of  love  !  most  d  shouorable 
thoughts  of  precious  Jesus  1  Never  was  any  sensible  sinner  half  so 
willingto  be  Saved  from  wrath  as  Jpsus  was  to  suffer  wrath  forshiners. 
Never  was  any  weary,  heavy-laden  sinner,  half  so  willing  to  come  to 
Jesus  as  he  is  to  receive  him.  «  The  Lord  is  long-suffering,  not  will- 
ing that  any  should  perish,  but  that  all  should  come  to  repentance,'* 
2  Pet.  iii.  9.  Therefore  he  hath  limited  a  certdn  di.y  ;  the  day  of 
gospel-light  and  salvation  ;  the  day  of  glad  tidings  to  poor  sinners. 
In  the  day  of  his  power,  his  people  are  made  willing  to  trust  to 
Jesus*  blood  and  righteousness;  to  come  to  his  feet,  claim  him  as 
their  king,  and  submit  to  his  laws  and  government.  His  voice  of 
grace  is  first  heard  in  his  word  :  when  tliat  is  believed  in  the  heart, 
his  voice  of  love  is  heard  in  tlie  soul.  While  the  gospel  is  proclaim- 
ed, God's  arms  and  heart  are  opened  to  sinners;  the  chi^fest  and 
vilest  sinners  out  of  hell.  His  word  assures,  "  the  elect  have  obtain- 
ed, and  the  rest  were  blinded,"  Rom.  xi.  7. — But  who  blinds  them  ? 
Not  the  God  of  love.  No  ;  "  the  God  of  this  world  blinds  the  eyes  of 
those  that  believe  not,"  2  Cor.  iv.  4.— -.Who  hardens  tliem  ?  Not  a 
God  of  grace  ;  "but  they  are  hardened  tluough  the  deceiiiulness  of 
sin."  O  1  if  any  sinner's  heart  is  soft  and  yielding  to  Jesus'  love^id 
salvation,  "  this  is  the  Lord's  doing,  and  it  is  marvellous  in  our  eyes,'* 
How  long  hath  he  waited  to  be  gracious  to  thee  !  Remember  thy  past 
conduct  with  shame ;  think  on  thy  present  state  with  gratitude  ;  look 
forward  witli  hope  ;  hear  his  voice  with  joy  ;  come  to  him  with  bold- 
ness ;  «  v/iJk  worthy  of  the  vocation  wherewith  thou  art  Ciiiled,"  Eph. 
iv.   I. 

Vol.  I.  h 


S6  MARCH  14. 

And  710W,  Lord,  i^'hat  ivait  I  for  ?  My  hope  is  in  thee.-^ 
Psaiin  xxxix.  7. 

What  a  blessing  is  inward  composure  of  mind !  How  delightful 
un  exercise  is  waiting  upon  ll)e  Lord  I  What  a  profitable  privilege  is 
prayer  !  How  happy  the  soul  whose  hope  is  in  God  1  '1  hese  are  all 
the  sweet  attendants  upon,  and  promoted  by  the  grace  of  faith  m 
Christ  Jesus.  \A'hiIe  that  grows  strong  in  the  soul,  we  are  more 
lively  aud  comfortable.  Hence  the  disciple's  petition,  "Lord,  in- 
crease our  f;uth,"  is  daily  needful.  Then  it  is  well  with  tiie  soul  when 
it  is  enabled  to  make  this  solemn  appeal  to  its  Saviour,  '  Thou,  Lord, 
knowest  what  I  long  for,  what  I  wait  ibr^  even  the  spiritual  blessings 
'■•f  thy  kingdom,  to  be  more  mwardly  transformed  into  tliine  image, 
lobe  more  perfectly  obedient  to  thy  will,  and  to  obtain  a  more  com- 
plete victory  over  my  worst  foes,  sin,  sataii,  and  the  world.' 

Verily  tlie  heavenly-instructed  soul  knows,  that  all  this  is  of  God 
hy  Jesus  Christ;  and  that  the  contrary  to  all  this  is  from  the  lusts  that 
dwell  in  liim,  and  the  evils  that  surround  him  ;  therefore  God  tjone 
is  his  hope.  His  hope  is  not  in  his  graces,  his  feelings,  his  irtanes 
his  comforts,  but  in  the  God  of  all  grace — not  in  the  streams,  but 
in  the  fountain — not  in  what  he  has  received,  but  in  the  infinite  ful- 
ness which  is  treasured  up  in  Jesus  for  the  needy.  Hope  of  salva- 
vation  in  Jesus  is  our  helmet.  Faith  guards  the  heart;  hope  forti- 
fies the  head ;  hence  the  christian  lifts  up  his  head  in  the  day  of  battle 
and  in  the  hour  of  temptation.  His  head  being  armed,  he  dreacis  not 
divine  wrath,  satan's  terrors,  nor  the  law's  threateinngs. 

Thou  man  of  God,  consult  not  thy  carnal  reason;  consider  not 
thy  body,  which  is  dead,  because  oi  sin  ;  but  know  that  tht  Spu  it 
is  life,  because  of  righteousness.  Though  the  law  is  weak  through 
The  flesh,  yet  grace  reigns;  and  through  gospel-grace  thou  hast 
great  and  precious  promises  to  encourage  thee  to  hope  confidently  ; 
and  the  omnipotent  power  of  the  Spirit  to  work  in  thee,  to  make 
thee  go  on  cheerfully,  vhile  Jesus  is  tlie  stay  of  thine  heart  to  up- 
hold and  strengthen  thee.  Fear  not ;  only  believe  ;  greiiter  is  Jesus 
than  all  thine  enemies.  "Stronger  is  h?  who  is  for  us,  than  all  that 
are  against  us."  Verily  thou  shaltnot  be'  disv^ppointcd  of  thy  hope, 
i^.c(  ing  it  is  in  the  Lord.  Where  Jesus  is  the  object  of  faith,  and  the 
anchor  of  h«/pe  is  oast  within  tlie  vail,  that  soul  shall  safely  and  com- 
fortably wcatjicr  out  every  storm,  and  shall  assuredly  obtain  the  ha- 
\  >^ii  of  etcriKil  rest.  By  faith  we  possess  the  promises  ;  hope  expects 
the  perfect  fulfilment  of  tliem  ;  in  waiting  we  renew  our  strength. 

.\Jy  iiiii.luijx  flesh  htkddy'd  -vvitd  |;iIl1,  \Vaiton  tlicl.dfl,  je  trembling  saints. 

Nad  tiftt  Piv  soul  Le'.icvM  And  kcfi>  \  our  courage  up  ; 

To  «ec  lliv  fv.nif  j)i-ovi.lfc  iK.l!ef :  He'll  raise  your  si.iilt  « lien  it  faints, 

.Vor  vMio  I'.-.  Ii!-i;.-.if.. , .(v't}.  Ar.d  far  exceed  your  hope. 


.MARCH  15.  87 

Neither  pray  I  for  the  .^e  alone,  but  for  them  also  that  shall 
believe  in  me  through  their  xvorii — John  xvi.  20. 

What  a  rich  fund  of  comfort  is'  here  for  every  believer  in  the 
Lamb  !  his  loving;  heart  was  not  contracted,  nor  his  eyes  of  com- 
passion confined  to  tlic  little  flock  now  with  him ;  but  he  looked  for- 
ward in  love,  his  bowels  of  lender  mercy  yearned  over,  and  his  inno- 
cent tongue  pleads  in  behalf  of  all  the  tender  lambs  of  his  flock, 
througii  all  succeeding  ages,  in  every  period  of  time.  Yea,  ere  tliey 
had  a  being  in  the  world,  or  faith  in  their  hearts,  they  had  an  interest 
in  Jesus'  prayers,  for  they  were  given  to  him  by  the  Father.  Me- 
thhiks  one  hears  some  poor  doubting  member  of  Jesus,  saying,  *  Ah, 
if  I  was  but  sure  my  worthless  name  was  written  m  the  Lamb's  book 
of  life  ;  if  I  could  but  know  his  heart  of  love  was  towards  poor  sinful 
vie  ;  that  I  was  included  in  the  happy  catalogue  of  those  Jesus  pray- 
ed for,  O  how  happy,  how  joyful  should  I  be  I'  Here  thy  Lord  has 
answered  thy  request.  Read  it  for  the  joy  of  thy  heart,  and  for  the 
establishing  thy  soul  in  fidth  and  love.  Hast  thou  heard  the  apos- 
tolic trutli,  salvation  Inj  Jcsun  Chrint  ?  Is  it  glad  tidings  to  thy 
heart  ?  Dost  thou  believe  in  Jesus  Christ  as  the  only  Saviour  of  the 
lost  and  guilty,  as  the  only  hope,  for  thy  otherwise  hopeless  soul  ?  If 
so,  verily  thou  hast  as  much  reason  to  conclude  Jesus  prayed  for  thee, 
as  though  thy  name  was  wrote  at  lull  lengtii  in  this  very  petition. 
Jesus  prays  for  "  all  Mho  shall  believe  in  him  tlirough  the  apostle's 
word." 

The  whole  of  salvation  is  sure  to  all  believers,  even  the  weakest 
of  all,  from  the  covenant,  from  Jesus,  from  the  Spirit,  and  from  the 
oath  md  promises  of  God.  Though  there  is  a  sea  of  corruption 
and  sin  in  thy  nature;  a  world  of  temp;^tion  around  thee  ;  legions  of 
devils  in  battle-array  against  thy  i>oor  soul ;  yet  as  tliou  hast  the  faith 
of  God's  elect  in  thine  heart,  be  it  ei'er  so  weak,  thou  art  possessed 
of  a  precious  jewel,  which  is  the  inestimable  gift  of  God's  holy  Spirit. 
And  verily,  as  sure  as  Jesus  prayed  this  prayer  unto  his  Father  on 
earth,  thou,  even  thou,  wast  in  his  all-seeing  eye  ;  hadst  a  phcc  in 
his  loving  heart,  and  hast  an  interest  in  his  finished  salvation  :  there- 
fore be  assured  tliou  shalt  most  ccrUiinly  be  brought -to  giory,  to  as- 
cribe salvation  tQ  Go<l  and  the  Lamb,  through  the  happy,  happy  ages 
of  a  never-ending  eternity.  For  so  is  the  righteous  ciiuilenge  of  oui- 
Saviour,  «  Father  I  w///tliat  they  also  whom  thou  hast  given  me,  be 
with  me  where  I  am,  that  they  may  beholdmy  giory,"  ver.  24. 

He  lives '.'  he  lives !  and  sits  above.  Faith  has  .an  overcoming  pow'r, 

Tor  ever  interceding  there  ;  It  triumphs  in  a  (lying  hour  ; 

Who  shall  flivide  iis  from  Christ's  love,  Christ  is  our  life,  onr  joy,  our  liope, 

Or  what  shall  tempt  us  to  despair  ?  Nor  can  we  sink  with  such  a  prop. 


88  MARCH  16. 

/  will  lift  up  mine  eyes  to  the  hills,  from  -whence  cometh  my 
help — Piulm  cxxi.  I. 

The  niosl  coniforUr.g  subject  to  a  spiritual  mind,  the  most  de- 
lightful object  to  u  spiiiiUcii  eye,  is  '^  God  in  Chnst,  rtcoiiciied  to 
us,  not  imputing  trespasses  unto  us."  Tiie  liilis  atibrd  us  a  pleas- 
ing idea  of  Jc-sus.  As  they  are  elevated  p^^rts  ot  he  Same  eai'ih  with 
the  lowest  v.ilky,  so  Ji-^sus  '  w^s  found  iu  the  fushion  us  u  man,  look 
on  him  tlic  suine  n;;iurc,  and  w;  s  in  ail  tilings  iike  unto  his  bieiliien, 
sin  only  excepted."  Wherefore  "  God  hutli  lugniy  exaiiea  nim,  and 
given  him  a  name  above  every  name,"  Phil.  ii.  y,  even  the  prcciuus 
name  Jt^un^  the  Suviour  We  can  never  uweh  loo  mucii  upon  the 
human  from  and  humbie  appi;arance  of  Jesus,  while  we  entertain  the 
most  exalted  ide.iS  of  his  eternal  power  and  Godhead.  "  He  bore 
our  shis,  and  Ci.n  led  our  sorrows  ;  ah  our  htip  is  laid  upon  liini ;  all 
our  hope  is  ii!  him  ;  and  our  htip  cometii  tiomhim.  Antl  tor  the 
encouragement  of  faith,  his  worci  assures  ut.  oi  his  iove  lowarUs  sin- 
ners, and  his  power  to  heip  them. 

Soldiers  ol  Christ,  what  is  your  chief  business  on  earth  but  to  glo- 
rify God  ?  What  your  daily  work,  but  "to  hght  the  good  hgnt  of 
faith,  and  to  lay  hold  on  eternal  life  ?"  Tins  is  our  caiiing  ;  tlie 
light  of  another  day  is  vouchs.itd  us.  But  whither  can  we  turn  our 
eyes,  but  encrnics  surround  us  on  every  bide  i  Yea,  from  within  as 
well  as  from  without.  And  cMi  we  experience  saleiy,  or  waik  in 
comfort,  but  while  our  eyes  are  up  to  Jesus  ?  He  is  entered  into 
heaven  "to  appear  in  the  presence  of  God  for  us,"  Heb.  ix.  24. 
He  says  to  us,  "  Look  unto  ;wf,  and  be  ye  savtu,"  Isa.  xlv.  22. 

The  sight  of  sin  that  dweileth  in  us  causeth  dejection;  looking  tp 
our  own  righteousness  and  fancied  excellence,  begets  pride  and  \An 
confidence;  tlic  power  and  subtilty  of  that  malicious  spirit,  "the 
prince  of  the  power  of  the  air,"  is  enough  to  make  one  tremble. 
This  present  evil  world,  with  its  honors,  profits  and  pleasures,  is  ex- 
actly suited  to  our  carnal  nature.  Wiio  can  wiihstaiid  its  smiles,  re- 
nounce  its  carnal  children,  and  be^r  their  reproaches  I  Who  is  proof 
against  these  potent  adversaries?  Verily,  with  all  knowietige  received, 
all  inherent  grace,  all  past  experience,  we  shallnot  be  able  to  stand 
if  we  are  not  continually  lifting  up  our  eyes  "  lookuig  to  Jesus  ;"  he 
only  is  our  present  help.  We  are  kept  by  his  mighty  power  to  sal- 
vatioQ^;  but  let  us  remember  it  is  through  Christ's  exalting  y«u>i, 
1  Pet.  i.  5. 

To  lie.iv'n  I  lift  my  wniting  e\  es ;  Dear  Saviour,  let  me  find  thy  help. 

There  all  my  hopes  ai«;  laifl ;  On  tlicc  my  hope  I  pl.iee. 

The  LoiyI  that  hnih  the  curtli  aiiU  bkic?.  So  shall  [  fjj;ht  the  f.-lit  of  faith, 

Ii  my  pcrjictuHl  aid  And  run  wiUi  joy  jiiy  raee.                Jtf. 


MARCH  17.  89 

Let  your  speech  he  always  with  grace,  seasoned  xvith  salt, 
that  ye  may  know  how  ye  oui^lit  to  answer  ev^jry  m.n, 
— Coi.  iv.  6. 

"  There  shall  not  iin  hoof  he  left  behind,"  said  meek  Moses  to 
the  stubborn  monarch.  All  that  beioiigLd  lo  God's  clmdrca  must 
go  with  them  for  his  service,  bo  me  whole  lUcdi ;  soul  with  ml  its 
faculties,  body  with  all  its  members,  Jesus  ciuuiis  lor  i»is  giory  and 
service.  Tlie  tongue,  tiiough  but  a  luue  member  i  words,  tnough 
but  as  wind  ;  speech,  though  but  as  souhO  ;  yet  the  iiume,  the  work, 
the  love,  the  glory  of  Jesus  are  hereby  gie^iuy  udvaucea  in  the  world. 
As'salt  not  only  preserves  from  putrcii^ctiun,  but  Svasons  llesh  with 
:in  agreeable  flavor  and  relish,  so  cioih  grace  in  the  iieartthe  speech. 
To  a  heart  warm  with  the  love  of  Jesus,  and  aiive  to  his  gloiy, 
why  is  the  vidn  conversation  of  Cunial  company  so  disagreeuUie  ? 
1  ruly  the  christiim  is  out  of  his  element.  He  tears  getUiig  Harm. 
An  embargo  is  laid  on  his  tongue,  L  is  his  glory  to  shun  rather 
than  seek  such  company.  If  tlirough  conaectioas  m  iifc  he  cannot 
totally  refrahi  from  such  company,  it  is  his  wisdom  to  restrain  his 
speech:  "  To  keep  his  mouth  with  a  bridle  while  the  wicked  is  beiorc 
him,  than  he  sin  not  with  his  tongue."  Bui  always  to  season  his 
speech,  by  the  grace  of  Jesus,  to  the  glory  of  his  name. 

But  wdien  saints  meet,  what  should  be  the  end  of  their  conversation 
but  Jesus  ?  The  free  favor  of  God  in  him  to  poor  sinners:  the  glorious 
doctrines  of  grace  in  Christ :  tlieir  perfect  consistency  and  blessed 
tendency  :  the  comfortable  work  of  grace  from  Jesus  upon  our  own 
souls  ;  how  began,  carried  on,  and  how  it  is  with  us  now  :  these 
should  ever  be  our  delightful  subjects.  But  this  by  no  means  to 
catch  applause,  as  though  we  were  not  iif  ourselves  poor  sinners, 
hanging  upon,  and  hoping  in  Jesus  from  day  to  day.  The  precious 
promises  of  grace  in  Christ  Je&us,  how  immulable  and  establishing  I 
The  salvation  of  grace  by  Jesus,  how  unconditional  and  absolutely 
certain  to  every  believer  !  Conversing  on  such  subjects,  how  savoury 
and  relishing  !  Speech  thus  seasoned,  how  becoming  and  profitable 
to  gracious  hearts  !  When  it  is  not  so,  it  is  a  sad  sign  thai  the  soul 
is  like  salt  that  has  lost  its  savour,  and  calls  for  great  searchings  of 
heart.  "  For  every  one  shall  be  salted  with  fire,  and  every  saciifice 
sail  be  salted  with  salt,"  Mark  ix.  49. 

Tlien  while  I  am  a  pil,^rim  here.  Lord,  warm  my  lieart,  unloose  mj  toiigwc, 

Wli«t  should  my  tongue  employ  To  tell  tliy  woii'l'rous  fame. 

Biit  God's  free  grace  and  Christ's  rich  No  subject  is  so  sw  cet  to  mc 

love,  As  thou,  my  loving  Lamh.                  M . 
Poor  sixiacr*'  cUief«st  joy. 


gQ  MARCH  18. 

This  is  the  name  xvhereunth  she  shall  be  called,  The  Lord 

cur  righteousness. — Jcr.  xxxiu.  .16. 
Before  days  began  or  years  were  numbered,  in  the  book  of 
God's  election  were  all  the  members  of  Jesus  written,  ''  which  in 
continuance  were  fashioned  when  as  yet  there  was  none  of  them," 
Psalm  cxxxix.  16.  God's  electing  love  would  have  remcOiiea  an 
eternal  secret  to  us  had  not  the  Spirit  of  truth  made  it  known.  But 
as  it  is  revealed  in  the  world,  it  is  an  object  of  our  taitli ;  and  it  ever 
will  be  Uie  subject  of  glorying  and  triumph  to  those  who  possess  the 
foith  of  God's  elect ;  for  faith  is  a  blessed  evidence,  that ''  God  haUi 
chosen  them  in  Christ  before  the  foundation  oi  the  world,"  Eph.  i.  4. 
Was  the  man  Jesus,  God  the  Father's  "  elect,  in  wnom  ms  soul 
dellghteth?"  Isa.  xlii.  1.  So  are  all  his  members;  loved  with  the 
same  love  as  the  head.  God  gave  not  the  Spirit  by  measure  unto 
Jesus,  the  glorified  head  of  the  church  ;  but  every  member  receives 
the  Spirit  through  Jesus,  "according  to  the  measure  ot  the  gilt  of 
Christ,"  Eph.  iv.  7.  ^ 

Unspeakably  glorious,  distinguishing  grace  1  This  is  the  rcjoicu- 
of  simple-hearted,  believing  souls:  they  are  beloved  and  chosen  by 
God  the  Father,  and  partake  of  the  same  Spirit  with  Jesus:  yea, 
and  are  also  called  by  the  same  nsme  with  Jesus.  Is  Christ  called 
«  T/,c  Lord  our  righteousness  .?"  Jer.  xxiii.  6.  So  the  church,  the 
Lamb's  wife,  being  married  in  faith  and  love,  she  is  called  by  the 
verv  same  name  with  her  Lord  and  husband.  The  Lord  our  righccous- 
ness.  But  some  render  the  words, '  He  that  shall  cull  her,  to  be  a 
peculiar  people  to  himself,  is  the  Lord  our  riglueousness.'  Then 
he  clothes  them  with  the  glorious  robe  of  his  own  righteousness. 
Then  his  name  is  called  upon  them,  for  they  are  one  with  Jesus. 

Angels  wonder,  saints  aibuire.  O  ye  rightcnis,  how  astonishing 
is  th.is!  Ye,  who  by  nature  are  children  of  wrath  !  ye,  who  by  practice 
have  been  rebels  and  transgressors  from  the  womb  !  yet  exaltea  by 
Jesus  to.  such  an  high  aiKV  glorious  state.  Amazing  love  !  ye  can 
never,  never  enough  dwell  upon  the  Father's  love,  the  Son's  grace, 
and  the  Spirit's  vocation.  Glorious  days  of  gospel  light  and  love  ! 
Wiiilc  others  ai-e  left  wretched  in  nature's  pride,  free-will  boast,  and 
self-riH.tcous  glorving,  ve  not  only  may,  but  s/iall  be  saved  by  free- 
grace  truth— ve  sfmll  dwell  safely  ;  for  God  your  Father's  jusdcc 
ts  satisfied,  his  law  is  fulli'lled,  your  enemies  are  all  conquered,  God 
is  at  peace  with  you  :  What  then  can  harm  you  ?  for  "  as  the  moun- 
tains arc  round  about  Jc-rusalem,  .so  Jehovah  is  round  about  his  peo- 
ple, from  hcnccfortli  even  for  ever,"  Ps;dm  crriv.  2. 


MARCH  19.  91 

Look  to  yourselves,  that  we  lose  7Wt  those  t/ilngs  xve  have 
■wrought,  but  that  we  receive  a  full  reward. — 2  John  v.  8. 

The  salvalion  "of  God's  people  is  certain,  by  his  imnni table 
love.  Their  safety  depends  on  his  almighty  power  ;  their  confidence 
and  glorying  is  in  the  finished  work  of  Jesus ;  and  tlieir  comforts  are 
enjoyed  from  tlie  Spirit's  testimony  of  the  Saviour  to  their  hearts  ; 
as  having  loved,  redeemed,  and  saved  tliem  as  lost,  guilty,  and  per- 
ishing sinners.  The  clearer  views  we  have  of  this  truth,  so  much 
tlie  more  do  we  cleave  to  Jesus.  As  our  faith  increases  our  comforts 
ar<;  strengthened  ;  and  this  is  tlic  evidence  of  a  gracious  heart ;  the 
comforts  of  love  ever  excite  .to  care  and  circumspection  in  life  and 
practice.  A  glimpse  of  Jesus  begets  longing  after  more' comfortable 
enjoyment  of  him  :  so  also  a  holy  jealousy  of  soul,  lest  what  is  gain- 
ed should  be  lost  in  sense  and  enjoyment.  While  surrounded  by 
false  teachers,  exposed  to  unscriptural  doctrines,  beset  by  a  subtle 
adversary,  and  so  nearly  allied  to  corrupt  lusts  and  carnal  reasonings, 
we  are  ever  in  danger  of  losing  sight  of  free-grace  truths,  gospel- 
love,  and  the  finished  salvation  of  Jesus,  so  as  to  be  moved  away 
from  the  hope  of  the  gospel,  and  to  mal;e  shipwreck  of  faith  and  a 
good  conscience.  Gospel  trutlis  and  gospel  grace  give  spring  to 
action,  life  to  obedience,  are  the  sources  of  encouragement  to  perse- 
vere in  the  path  of  truth  ar«d  holiness.  Wluit  thanks  are  due  to  the 
loving  Spirit  for  this  wholesome  advice  !  How  much  concerned 
should  we  be  daily  to  improve  it !  Look  to  yourselves,  see  your 
danger,  your  vileness,  your  weakness ;  look  up  to  Jesus  for  safety 
and  strength.  Blessed  be  the  God  we  serve,  he  is  not  unrighteous 
to  forget  our  works  of  faith,  patience  of  hope,  and  labour  of  love- 
We  enjoy  his  reward  in  our  work,  though  not  for  our  work.  No  : 
let  Jesus  have  all  that  glory.  Slill  the  more  work,  the  more  suffer- 
ings for  his  siikc,  so  much  the  more  reward  ;  of  just  debt  to  him, 
of  rigliteous  grace  to  us.  O  how  apt  are  we  to  pine  and  grieve  at  the 
loss  of  a  Uttle  shining  dust !  O  should  not  the  loss  of  light,  liberty, 
love,  peace  and  joy  in  Jesus,  infinitely  more  aiTect  us  1 

Would  we  avoid  sorrov.ful  complaints  of  loss  ?  Are  we  solicitous 
to  rejoice  in  present  gain,  and  in  hope  of  a  future  full  reward  t 
"  Therefore,  my  brethren,  be  stcdfast,  unmoveabJe,  always  abound- 
ing in  the  work  of'thc  Lord  ;  forasmuch  as  ye  knoAv  your  hJjour  is 
not  in  vain  m  the  Loid,"  1  Cor.  xv.  58. 

Soni»9  of  immoi-tal  praise  belong  To  fear  tl»y  pow  "r,  to  tnist  liiy  grace. 

To  my  almighty  Cod  ;  Is  our  tr^  iiie'-t  skill ; 

He  lias  my  hoai-t  and  h«  mr  tongwe,  AjuI  he's  the  » istst  of  our  race 

To  spread  Va  nniQ-  alroaJ.  Thbt  best  obejs  thy  v,\\\. 


92  MARCH  26. 

Thr/  words  were  found,  and  I  did  eat  them;  andthyword 
ivas  unto  me  the  joy  and  rejoicing  of  mine  heart ;  for  I 
am  called  by  thy  name^  0  Lord  God  of  hosts.'-^l^r, 
XV.  16. 

That  is  a  sweet  petition  in  the  service  of  the  church  of  England; 
<  Grant,  O  Lord,  that  we  may  not  only  hear,  read,  mai'k,  and  learn, 
but  inwardly  digest  the  holy  scriptures.'  As  soon  as  the  Lord  hath 
fulfilkd  this  prayer  upon  any  poor  sinner,  then  Jt sus  is  the  hope  of 
his  soul ;  he  esteems  the  scriptures  as  liis  daily  food,  the  doctrines 
of  grace  are  the  joy  and  rejoicing  of  his  heart ;  and  he  will  love  and 
attend  such  prophets  of  the  Lord,  who  have  also  "  found  God's  words 
and  have  eat  them." 

Glory  to  our  loving  shepherd,  he  finds  his  sheep  scattered  and 
starving  upon  the  barren  mountains,  he  leads  them  to  green  pastures 
of  gospel-grace  and  love  :  there  they  feed  and  lie  down  beside  the 
still  waters  of  peace  and  salvation.  And  this  heightens  every  com- 
fort, and  improves  every  joy,  even  an  inward  testimony :  "  I  am. 
called  by  thy  name,  O  Lord  God  of  hosts."  How  happy,  when 
minister  or  disciple  is  able,  in  simplicity  and  godly  shicerity  to  make 
this  appeal,  "  Ihou  hast  culled  me."  '1  hou,  Jcliovah,  who  rudest 
over  the  armies  of  angels  and  arch-angcls,  and  all  the  heavenly  host, 
thou  hast  condescended  to  make  known  thy  name,  thy  grace,  thy 
salvation  to  me,  even  wretched  me.  I  hear  thy  voice,  I  know  thy 
voice  ;  I  feel  desires  after  thee  ;  my  heart  thinks  of  thee  with  plea- 
sure and  delight;  I  find  an  hungering  and  thirsting  within  mc., 
which  nothing  but  thy  blessed  self  can  satisfy  ;  I  emi  grieved  when  I 
offend  thee  ;  only  hi>ppy  when  thy  love  and  presence  are  enjoyed, 
and  am  concerned  that  I  enjoy  them  no  more.  This  is  heaven  below. 
Feeding  upon  the  word  of  truth  increases  desires  after  Jesus,  the 
object  of  faith.  So  also  the  sovil  becomes  dead  to  the  life  of  sense, 
the  intrusions  of  sin,  the  allurements  of  the  world,  and  tlie  baits  of 
satan.  Happy  those  in  whom  the  word  of  Christ  dwells  richly  in  all 
wisdom.  H>.ppy  those  in  whom  Christ  dwells  in  their  hearts  by 
faith.  O  soul,  hast  thou  an  appetite  to  eat  thy  Bible,  to  feed  upon  it, 
to  digest  it  ?  Is  it  "  health  to  thy  navel,  and  marrow  to  thy  bones  ?" 
O  then  thou  art  blessed  with  the  most  exquisitely  delicate  taste.  A 
poor  sailor  was  lately  cast  away,  l6st  his  all,  was  almost  naked.  The 
finit  half  crown  he  got  he  enquired  where  to  make  a  purchase— of 
what  think  you  ?  O  what  was  dearest  to  his  heart — a  Bible.  Blessed 
evidence  of  a  christian. 

Thp  volntneofthy  Fa  Tier's  gi-ace  0  may  th}  counsels,  mighty  God, 

Doifi  all  m-  tjricfs  aasuaRe,  ]SFy  l-o\iiig  feet  command  !     , 

rioi-e  I  behold  my  Saviour's  face  Nor  1  forsake  llie  happy  road. 

AliaostincvVy  page.  That  loads  to  tliv  ridit  hand- 


MARCH  21.  93 

Te  are  Christ^s,  and  Christ  is  God's. — 1  Cor.  iii.  23. 

St.  Paul  ransacks  heaven  and  eavtli,  time  and  eternity,  to  make 
up  the  christian's  rich  catalogue  of  mercies.  But,  as  though  the 
utmost  stretch  of  thought,  of  men  or  angels,  might  omit  some  part 
of  the  believer's  treasure;  and  lest  any  thing  should  be  found  wanting 
for  support  and  comfort  to  any  needy  soul,  he  twice  repeats  ''  yJll 
thi7igs  are  yours."  Believer,  wouldst  thou  know  thy  title  ?  VVouldst 
thou  enc[uire,  Whence  is  it  the  Lord  should  consign  such  iniiumera- 
ble  blessings,  such  infinitely  rich  mercies  to  us  I  Whereas  one  thing 
we  know,  we  feci  daily  we  arc  sinners  to  tliis  very  hour.  And  will 
noT  this  prevent  the  right  to  possession,  and  the  freedom  of  enjoy- 
ment ?  No  :  justice  and  wisdom  conspire  to  take  away  this  and  every 
objection.  The  medium  of  commtuiication  is  such,  that  neither  rea- 
son, laAv,  nor  equity  can  gc.insay. 

Dwell  on  this  point ;  look  up  to  the  Spirit  of  truth,  to  establish 
faith,  strengthen  hope,  increase  love,  and  promote  joy.  "  Ye  are 
Christ's,"  by  spetial  gift;  his  dear  purchase,  and  his  precious  reward. 
We  have  all  in  him  by  rich  love,  peculiar  grace,  free  gift,  and  pre- 
cious promises.  Precious  faith  is  tlie  blessed  evidence  of  interest 
and  propriety  in  this  blessed  inventory.  But  how  came  faith  ?  From 
hearing  the  word  of  God.  From  whom  came  the  word  ?  By  the 
Spirit  of  truth,  who  also  gives  faith.  Why  is  the  Spirit  given  ?  Be- 
cause Jesus  is  glorified.  Wherefore  came  Jesus  to  seek  and  save 
the  lost  ?  The  Father  loved  us,  and  gave  his  Son  for  us.  Wl;y  did 
the  Father  love  us  ?  It  was  "  the  good  pleasure  of  his  will,  according 
to  which  he  chose  us,  in  Christ  Jesus,  before  the  foundation  of  the 
world  :  predestinated  us  to  the  adoption  of  children,  and  blessed  us 
with  all  spiritual  blessings  in  him,"  Eph..i.  3,  4,  5,  Hence,  U  be- 
liever, how  clear  thy  title  !  how  certaii»  thy  possession  ! 

"  Christ  is  God's,"  God's  beloved  Son  ;  so  art  thou  in  him.  Christ 
is  God's  gift  for  thee,  God's  gift  to  thee,  and  thou  to  him.  Thou 
enjoyest  all  in  him,  and  receivest  all  from  him.  Canst  thou  ever  want 
food  for  faith,  a  source  of  love,  a  fountain  of  holiness,  or  a  spring  of 
consolation  ?  What  have  we  done,  or  what  could  we  do  to  get  an 
interest  in  Christ,  or  procure  a  right  to  such  heavenly  treasures  ? 
Verily  we  have  done  enough  to  forfeit,  but  nothing  to  deserve  them. 
Know  this  and  be  humbled  ;  consider  this  and  l)e  joyful  in  love  :  "  All 
things  are  of  God,  who  halh  reconciled  us  to  himself  by  Jesu-s 
Christ,"  2  Cor.  v.   18. 

I  cbiim  my  title  in  my  Head,  How  blessed  is  my  present  state  ? 

Faith  is  my  evidence.  Immensely  rich  am  I : 

All  things  are  mine,  for  I  am  Christ's,  Christ  is  my  life-— death  is  my  gain  ! 

Howe'er  oppos'd'by  seitse.  I  soon  shall  reign  oc  high.                    Mi 

Vol..  I.  M 


94  MARCH  22. 

77?^  Maker  is  thi?te  husband. — Isa.  liv.  5. 

.LL  p.i.a-iiagcs  uic,  or  ouglit  to  be,  founded  in  mutual  love  be-* 
tn'cen  tb.e  contracting  parties.  This  is  the  chief  ingredient  to  i:ro- 
ducc  happiness  in  the  conjugal  state.  Where  that  is  wanting,  truo 
covnlort  is  not  enjoyed.  When  a  person  oi  noble  birth  and  great  for- 
tuiif  marries  a  wonicm  poor  in  circumstances,  and  involved  in  debt, 
wc  justly  conclude  he  chose  her  out  of  pure  love  and  affection  to 
her  person  :  and  surely  such  an  one  is  under  the  most  endearing  ob- 
ligations to  love  and  chastity.  She  can  never  call  to  mind  hei  for- 
mer indigent  state  and  her  present  affluent  circumstances,  but  it  must 
tend  to  infltime  her  with  the  most  ardent  affection  to  her  husband. 

This  is  somewhat  the  case  between  Christ  and  his  church.  Pure 
love  in  the  heart  of  the  heavenly  bridegroom  caused  him  to  betroth 
his  church  unto  himself,  in  loving  kindness.  Though  she  was  in  the 
most  abject  state  and  despicable  condition,  yet  he  secretly  loved  her 
person  from  eternity,  and  openly  espoused  every  member  in  time  of 
conversion,  one  by  one.  So  saith  St.  Paul,  "  I  have  espoused  you  to 
one  husband,  Christ,"  2  Cor.  xi.  2. 

Canst  thou,  O  believer,  call  to  mind  thy  natural  state  of  poverty 
and  distress;  over  head  and  ears  in  debt ;  writs  issued  from  the  law, 
which  justice  might  have  executed  :  liable  every  moment  to  be  cast 
into  prison,  where  thou  must  have  lain  everlastingly  with  nothing 
but  rags,  filthy  rags,  to  hide  thy  shame  and  cover  thy  nakedness  ? 
Canst  thou  think  of  this  without  humility  ?  Anc|  dost  thou  now  see 
the  kindness  iaid  love  of  thine  husband  ?  Has  he  paid  all  thy  debts, 
cancelled  every  bond,  put  in  a  plea  against  every  accusation,  and 
perfectly  fulfilled  the  hoi  y  law,  and  satisfied  divine  justice  ?  Art  thou 
"blessed  with  all  spiritual  blessings"  in  thine  husband — enriched 
with  heavenly  treasures  ?  Hath  he  "  clothed  thee  with  the  garments 
of  salvation,"  and  adonied  thee  with  "  tlie  robe  of  his  righteousness  ?" 
and  doth  God  thy  Father  si.y  of  thee,  "Thou  art  all  fair,  my  love  ;  I 
sec  no  spot  in  thee  ?"  Cant.  iv.  7. 

(3  what  purity  of  affection  1  what  ardency  of  love  !  what  chastity 
of  behaviour  is  due  to  such  a  lover,  to  such  ai>  husband  !  Christ  took 
thee  at  first  "for  better,  for  worse  ;"  his  love  to  thee  is  ever  the 
same,  affectionate  and  constant :  full  of  complacency  and  delight : 
sympathizing  with  thy  troubles;  ever  nourishing  and  cherishing  thee 
hc^e.  Shortly  the  I.ani'o  will  in  the  most  open  and  public  miuiner  ap- 
pear as  the  biidcgroom  of  his  church,  and  celebrate  the  marriage  in 
a  blissful  eternity.  O  then  it  shall  be  said,  "  Let  us  be  glad  and  re- 
joice, and  give  honoi-  to  him,  for  the  m:  rriage  of  the  Lamb  is  come 
und  his  wife  hath  made  herself  ready,"  Rev.  xix.  7. 


MARCH  23.  95 

Jesus  said.  One  thing  is  needful  —Luke  x.  42. 

Thk  disposition  and  currit.tre  of  the  sisters,  Mcirthu  and  Muiy, 
much  resemble  the  different  desires  and  actings  of  the  flesli  u.icl  spuit, 
of  which  every  christian  is  composed  The  flesh,  like  MunJ...,  is 
careful  and  troubled  about  many  tliinjjs:  it  is  ever  restless  ui.d  uric«sy; 
always  in  want ;  seldom  satisfied  ;  never  tiuly  h;;ppy.  But  ilie  spirit 
hath  chose  that  good  part,  that  one  thing  needful  :  it  is  truly  wise  in 
its  choice, qmte  satisfied  in  its  object,and  truly  happy  m  its  enioyii;unt. 
Thus  it  is  while  the  christian  is  under  the  prevailing  hiflu.nce  of 
this  one  thPng  needful.  One  thing,  the  enjoyment  of  God,  was  our 
fir^t  parent's  paradise.  A  thirst  after,  and  eiijoymeni  of  two  things 
(the  knowledge  of  evil  as  well  as  good)  caused  all  theii-  yoe,  and 
made  them  miserable  :  and  it  is  tlie  knowledge  of  the  formeV  which 
keeps  all  their  posterity  under  the  sad  circumstances  they  arc  fallen 
into,  till  they  are  brought  to  know  the  one  thing  needfui.  Whit  is 
this  but  the  saving  knowledge  of  Jesus  Christ  ?  This  was  the  great 
apostie's  continual  prayer,  ^'  That  I  may  know  him."  1  his  was  what 
Mary  was  happy  in  the  enjoyment  of,  and  what  our  Lord  himself 
commends  her  for,  and  calls  that  good  part,  wliich  shall  never  be 
taken  away. 

This  one  thing  comprehends  all  wisdom,  holiness,  and  happiness. 
To  know  Jesus,  is  to  believe  in  him.  To  believe  on  him,  is  co  love 
him  ;  and  to  love  him,  is  to  keep  his  commandments.  In  every  sta- 
tion, in  all  seasons,  and  under  eveiy  circumstance,  this  one  thii.g, 
tliis  knowledge  of  Jesus,  is  ever  needful,  ever  seasonable.  Doth  the 
christian  enjoy  health  ?  This  knowledge  joins  to  heaiili  of  body,  peace 
and  joy  of  soul.  Is  he  in  sickness  ?  To  know  Jesus  is  the  ricliest 
cordial,  the  most  reviving  draught  to  his  soul.  Is  he  tenipted  ? 
What  consolation  is  it  to  know  Jesus  was  in  all  things  tenipted,  tiiat 
he  mighty  succour  the  tempted  ?  Doth  sin  distress  ?  Doth  ihe  law 
condemn  ?  O,  the  soul  who  knows  Jesus,  can  boldly  challenge, 
'<  Who  shall  lay  any  thing  to  the  charge  of  God's  elect  ?"  He  can 
confidently  declare,  "  there  is  no  condemnation  to  them."  Does 
death,  the  king  of  terrors,  affright  him  \  By  the  knowledge  of  Jesus 
he  is  disarmed  of  his  strength  and  sting  ;  which  is  the  -law  ojid  sin. 
So  that,  O  soul,  thou  mayest  take  up  this  triuniphant  chailvnge 
against  the  last  enemy,  "  O  death,  where  is  thy  sting  ?  O  i^rave, 
where  is  thy  victory  r"  I  have  all  things,  and  abound  in  this  one 
ihing  :  I  have  Christ  my  Saviour  found. 

On  earth  wc  want  the  si«;ht  And  when  we  taslc  thy  love. 
Of  our  Redeemei-'s  face.  Our  joys  divincl;  grow 

Yet,  Loi-d,  our  inmost  thoughts  deligUt  Uiisixakublc,  liketliosc  abovCj 
To  dwell  upon  thy  grace.  Aud  heai'n  begius  below 


96  MARCH  24. 

Md Moses  said  unto  the  people.    Fear  not;  for  God  is 

come  to  prove  you,  and  that  his  fear  may  he  before  your 

faces,  that  ye  sin  not. — Exod.  xx.  20. 

Pride  and  self-confidence  are  deeply  rooted  in  the  human  heart. 
False  hopes  are  built  on  self-righteous  pleas.  By  these  the  heart  is 
blinded  to  the  exceeding  sinfulness  of  sin  ;  hardened  against  the  fear 
and  dread  of  the  Lord  ;  and  such  live  in  rebellion  against  the  truth 
as  in  Jesus.  Like  Paul,  we  are  all  naturally  alive  without  the  law  ; 
and,  with  the  Israelites  of  old,  arc  ready  to  say,  "  All  that  the  Lord 
Jiath  spoken  we  will  do,"  Exod,  xix.  8.  Alas  !  poor  souls  utter 
such  words  of  ignorance  and  pride,  when,  like  the  disciples  on  the 
mount,  «  they  know  not  what  they  say."  But  whom  the  Lord  loves, 
he  proves.  The  Lord  is  a  jealous  God  ;  he  will  suffer  no  flesh  to 
glory  in  his  presence  ;  nor  shall  his  dear  children  live  without  his 
fear,  and  a  holy  hatred  of  pride  and  sin  ;  therefore  tliey  must  go  out 
of  their  tents  of  vain  confidence. 

When  the  I^ord  discovers  himself  in  glory  and  majesty,  as  a  holy, 
sin-avenging  God  ;  when  the  law,  in  its  holy,  just,  and  righteous 
demands  is  revealed  in  the  conscience,  it  makes  the  stoutest  heart  to 
tremble  :  it  fills  the  guilty,  self-accused  sinricr  with  fear  and  horror, 
and  then  "  sin  revives,  and  he  dies" — dies  to  all  his  former  false 
hopes.  Yea,  and  he  would,  if  left  to  his  own  dreadful  apprehensions, 
fly  from  God,  and  sink  into  black  despair,  and  die  without  iiope.  But 
the  dear  Mediator  is  ever  near,  and  prevents  this  :  he  speaks  in  love, 
"Fear  not."  This  dispensation  is  not  to  <lcstroy  your  soul,  but  to 
kill  your  vain  hopes — to  prove  and  to  try  you — to  shew  you  what  is 
in  you  :  that  you  may  be  dead  to  the  law,  be  alive  to  God  by  a  better 
hope,  through  the  faith  of  nie  your  Jesus.  So  fear  the  Lord  with  a 
loving  fear,  as  to  die  to  sin.  Thunders  of  wrath,  terrible  peals  of 
curses  arc  sometimes  necessary  to  be  heard  -in  the  conscience;  they 
fulfil  God's  will.  The  bleak  north  wind  of  the  law  kills  the  vermin 
of  nature  ;  while  the  warm,  comforting  south  wind  of  the  gospel 
cherishes  and  enlivens  the  seeds  of  grace. 

Thus  the  Spiiit  humbles  proud  hearts,  revives  contrite  spirits,  en- 
dears Christj  who  hath  endured  the  curse's  we  have  deserved,  and 
embitters  sin  to  believing,  penitent  souls.  "  Lo,  all  these  things 
workcth  God  oftentimes  with  man,  to  bring  back  his  soul  from  the 
pit,  to  be  enlightened  A\illi  tlie  light  of  the  living,"  Job  xxxiii.  29,  30.. 

The  law  discovers  giiiU  and  sin,  jNfy  soul,  no  more  attempt  todr.i* 

A  nd  shews  how  vile  our  hearts  have  been  :  'i  hy  life  and  comfort  from  the  law ; 

Only  the  (gospel  can  express  I'ly  lo  the  hope  the  gospel  gives  ; 

Porgiviiig  love,  and  cjiansing  ^rnrr-.  The  man  that  trirslte  fl^c  pi-OMa^sp  UvM'- 


MARCH  25.  97 

Knowing,  thatshortly  I  must  put  ojf  this  7ny  tabernacle,  even 
as  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  hath  shewed  rue. — 2  Pet.  i.  14. 

Nothing  but  the  life  of  Jesus,  manifest  in  our  flesh,  can  recon- 
«ile  us  to  death.  This,  and  this  only,  delivers  from  the  fears  of 
death,  disarms  it  of  its  sting,  and  iortities  the  mind  with  the 
kiiowledge  of  complete  victory  over  the  king  of  terrors,  "  through 
him  who  hath  loved  us."  Consltuit  converse  with  Jesus  makes  death 
familiar.  So  we  learn  to  die  daily  ;  so  the  spiritual,  inuiiortal  life 
of  the  soul  triumphs  over  tlie  sensual,  mortal  iife  of  the  body.  The 
happy  spirit,  in  some  highly-favored  seasons,  is  so  lar  from  fearing 
und  trembling  at  the  body's  dissolution,  that  it  rejoices,  and  even 
longs  to  beset  at  liberty  from  its  imprisoned  state  ;  it  pants  with 
desires  after  its  beloved,  and  says,  "Come,  Lord  Jesiis,  come 
quickly  :"    It  wants 

To  clap  its  glad  wings  and  tow'r  away. 
And  mingle  with  eternal  day. 

How  sweet  to  live  in  such  a  friuue  1  how  desirable  !  how  daily  and 
earnestly  to  be  sought  for  !  That  when  ti\e  frail  body  is  attacked 
with  any  sickness,  the  soul  may  ask,  with  great  serenity,  in  the 
words  of  John  Baptist  to  Jesus,  "  Art  thou  he  r"  Is  this  disorder  to 
put  the  finishing  stroke  to  all  my  trials  and  griefs  ?  "  or  must  I  look 
for  another  ?"  When  a  little  child  of  mine  saw  a  beggar  ragged  and 
deformed,'  it  ran  into  my  arms,  and  cried,  '  O  papa,  save  me  from 
that  frightful  man  !'  O,  thought  I,  that  in  the  views  of  death,  may 
I  ever  thus,  with  boldness  and  familiarity,  run  to  the  arms  of  Uiy 
heavenly  Father, 

All  men  know  they  must  die.  They  confess  this.  But  the  tl<oughts 
of  it  are  irksome.  Believers  in  Jesus  only,  have  a  peculiar  knowledge 
of  death,  so  as  to  dwell  on  the  thought,  that  it  will  come  shortly, 
with  satisfaction,  hope,  and  comfort.  Jesus  hath  shcAved  them  this. 
From  him  "  the  righteous  hath  hope  in  his  death,"  Prov.  xiv.  32. 

Is  it  in  vain  then,  the  Saviour  saith,  "  Forsake  all,  take  up  tliy 
cross,  follow  me?"  No:  it  verily  is  for  the  profit  and  the  peace  of  tiic 
soul.  For  the  more  steadfastly  we  are  attached  to,  and  eagerly  pursue 
the  things  of  this  life,  so  much  the  more  we  are  loth  to  die.  ^Ve 
fcar  the  approach,  and  tremble  at  the  very  apprehension  of  the 
unwelcome  messenger.  All  this  is,  because  the  objects  of  time  and 
sense  cloud  our  minds,  and  darken  our  views  of  the  victorious  Jesus, 
his  perfect  work  and  finished  salvation  for  us.  Only  while  Jesus  is 
embraced  in  the  amis  of  faith,  tlie  soul  can  say,  vvith  Simeon,  -'Lord, 
now  Icttestthou  thy  servant  depart  in  peace,  according  to  thy  word, 
for  mine  eyes  have  seen  thy  solvation,"  Luke  ii,  29,  30. 

Will  death  this  Imdy  soon  destroy  \  Then  shall  I  live  a  joyful  lifV, 

O  yes  !  I  wait  the  coming  hour  :  Fiom  sin  and  sonow  ever  free. 

^yiiat  then  ?  my  Lord  will  r.aise  it  up  0  may  I  !or)g  the  hapjiy  hour, 

Againj  by  liis  ahuighty  pow'r.  For  ever  wiih  my  Lord  to  be  !    M 


98  MARCH  26. 

T/iat  rf'pentance  and  remission  of  sins  should  be  preached 
in  his  name  among  all  nations, — Luke  xxv.  47. 

This  is  God's  method  of  saving  sinners  by  Jesus  Christ.  Those 
who  know  the  preciousness  of  Christ,  have  a  regard  to  the  glory  of 
God,  and  love  for  immortal  souls,  make  this  the  rule  of  their  pifcach- 
ing ;  for  this  doctrine,  where  it  is  known  and  experiencca  in  the 
heart,  makes  a  true  christian.  Evangelical  repentance  flowb  irom 
a  seeing  eye,  a  hearing  ear,  and  an  understanding  heart ;  cuid  is  an 
evidence  tmd  effect  of  gospel-faith.  To  see  the  evil  nature  and  dread- 
ful c fleets  of  sin,  its  punishment  in  tlie  sufferings  of  Jesus,  to  hear 
the  curses  and  condemnation  of  the  law  against  sinners,  its  dreadful 
thunders  and  menaces  in  the  conscience  ;  to  understand  in  the  heart 
that  nothing  but  the  blood  of  Jesus  could  atone  for  the  guilty,  none 
but  he  could  fulfil  the  perfect  demands  of  a  holy  law  for  the  unright- 
eous ;  this  humbles  the  soul,  cuts  off  false  hopes,  lays  it  low  m  self- 
abasement  before  Jehovah,  causes  it  to  cry  out,  "  1  am  the  man,  the 
sinner  I,  who  am  cursed  by  law,  exposed  to  wrath,  and  deserve  hell. 
I  mourn  without  hope  in  myself;  I  hear  of  Jesus,  the  Saviour  of 
sinners  ;  I  turn  to  him  for  hope  and  salvation.  Sin  has  destroyed  me. 
Jesus  save,  or  I  perish." 

This  repentance  Jesus  is  exalted  to  give.  This  makes  a  proud 
sinner  humble.  Remission  of  sins  makes  a  poor  sinner  a  happy 
saint.  Hath  Christ  obtained  remission  of  sins  by  his  blood"  ?  hath  he 
commanded  this  should  be  preached  in  his  name  ?  is  he  exalted  to 
give  it  ?  hath  he  brought  the  poor  sinner,  by  his  Spirit,  to  his  feet 
to  sue  for  it  ?  and  will  he  refuse  to  make  the  soul  happy  in  the  sense 
of  it  ?  Never,  never,  let  such  a  thought  be  indulged  by  any  poor 
sensible  sinner.  We  read  no  such  hard  lines  in  his  word.  We  find 
no  such  dejecting  views  from  his  life  and  death.  The  doctrme  he 
prescribed  is  a  lively  transcript  of  all  that  was.  in  his  loving  heart. 

Be  assured,  O  soul,  there  shall  be  a  performance  of  all  things  that 
are  promised  of  the  Lord,  to  him  that  believeth.  The  same  Jesus 
who  gives  the  soul  the  humbling  view  of  itself,  and  by  repentance,  to 
turn  to  him,  will  give  it  the  rejoicing  knowledge  of  himself,  by  the 
remission  of  sins,  through  faith  in  his  blobd.  Repeutiuice  and  re- 
mission of  sins  arc  joined  together  in  preaching  :  tliey  can  never  be 
separated  in  the  hc;U-t.  So  sure  as  repenttmce  is  given  to  any  soul 
by  the  Spirit  of  Jesus,  that  soul  is  forgiven,  through  the  blood  of 
Jesu'S,  by  God  the  Father. 

Blest  is  the  man  to  whom  the  Lord  With  deep  rciieiilancc  w  ell  agree  : 

Iiu|«ites  not  his  iMii|niLie.s  ;  And  Join  to  prove  his  faith  sincere. 

He  [.leads  no  merit  of  reward. 
And  not  on  works,  hut  grace  relics. 

^'ronj  K'lllohis  heart  and  life  are  fre(d  ;  While  a  hright  cviilcnce  of  grace 

His  humble  joy,  his  holy  fcnr,  Tliro'  his  whole  life  appears  aud  sliia^S  ! 


How  glorious  is  that  righteousness 
That  liides  and  cancels  all  our  sin*  ! 


MARCH  27.  99 

Whereupon,  0  king  Agrippa,  I  xvas  not  disobedient  unto 
the  heavenly  vision. — Acts  xxvi.  19. 

One  is  sometimes  called  to  bear  testimony  before  unbelievers 
of  the  hope  that  is  in  one<.  It  is  difficult  to  speak  of  the  manifestation 
of  Christ  to  the  heart,  so  that  the  Saviour  alone  may  i)e  exalted  and 
glorified.  Somewhat  of  self  naturally  creeps  into  the  relation.  ,  It 
is  very  pleasing  to  nature,  to  be  esteemed  as  one  highly  favoured, 
and  to  have  made  great  atlahiments  in  Christianity.  O  tliat  single 
letter,  with  great  sound,  I  !  But  it  was  farthest  from  the  heart  of 
Paul,  that  eminent  champion  for  free-grace  salvation,  to  give  the 
least  encouragement  from  his  conversion  to  any  fellow-sinner  to  talk 
of  obedience  to  God's  call,  or  faithfulness  to  his  grace,  as  conditions 
of  salvation.  The  soul  of  that  man  of  God  would  be  fii-od  with  a 
holy  zeal  for  his  master's  glory,  was  he  now  on  earth,  to  hear  his 
language  abused,  imd  his  meaning  perverted,  by  the  pride  of  men. 
Men  of  self-righteous  principles  oppose  the  truths  of  the  gospel  ; 
deny  God's  unconditional  election,  unmerited  love,  the  finished 
salvation  of  Jesus,  and  its  being  sure  to  ail  his  seed,  through  the 
sovereign  application  of  the  Lord  the  Spirit.  To  what  end  ?  Truly 
to  make  way  for  their  unscriptural  notions  of  terms  and  conditions 
of  salvation.  They  dare  proudly  and  arrogantly  teach,  that  obedience 
to  Jesus  is  the  condition  of  salvation.  Will  they  not  also  say,  that 
when  Jesus  called,  "  Lazarus  come  forth,"  his  rising  up  was  a  con- 
dition of  his  being  restored  to  life  ?  How  hard  for  pride  to  forsake 
the  human  heart ! 

Paul  was  favoured  with  an  extraordinary  vision  from  the  Lord 
Jesus  from  heaven,  to  call  him  to  be  his  faithful  servant.  Obedient 
hearts  arc  caused  by  effectual  calls.  But  after  Paul  had  laboured 
more  abundantly  than  all  the  rest  of  the  apostles,  what  was  his 
glorying  ?  «  Yet  not  I,  but  the  grace  of  God,  striving  (says  he) 
according — to  what  ?  my  power  ?  my  ability  ?  No — to  his  working, 
which  worketh  in  me  mightily,"  Col.  i.  29.  O  here  is  a  blessed 
pattern,  a  profitable  lesson  of  humility  set  before  us  !  Hath  Jesus 
appeared  to  us  in  the  vision  of  faith  by  the  word  of  truth  ?  Halh  he 
effectually  called  us  to  believe  in  his  name,  and  to  rejoice  in  his  sal- 
vation ?  What  shall  we  say,  but  fall  upon  the  bended  knees  of  our 
hearts,  and  in  warmest  gratitude  of  soul,  adore  grace,  rich,  free, 
sovereign,  distinguishing  grace  !  Have  we  been,  and  do  we  still  con- 
tinue obedient  to  the  heavenly  vision  ?  What  then  ?  shall  we  sacri- 
fice to  our  own  net,  and  burn  incense  to  our  own  drag,  an.d  say, 
Because  of  my  obedience,  my  faithfulness  ?  God  forbid  1  for  this  is 
only  grace  upon  grace.  If  we  have  obtiiined  grace  to  be  faithful,  the 
comfort  is  ours  ;  but  all  the  glory  is  due  to  the  giver.  "  Lord,  thou 
wilt  ordain  peace  for  us."  Why  ?  "for  thou  ha?t  wroun;ht  all  our 
works  inns,"  Isa.  K^cvi.  12. 


100  MARCH  28. 

llien  shall  we  know,  if  %ve  follow  on  to  know  the  Lord: 
hs  gomg forth  is  prepared  as  the  morm?ig;  and  he  shall 
come  unto  iis  as  the  rain  ;  as  the  latter  and  former  rain 
unto  the  earth. — Hosea  vi.  3. 

Hearts  of  disciples  enjoy  sweet  fellowship  in  the  truth.  Hence 
they  mutually  help  aiid  encourage  each  oiher's  taiih.  The  Saviour 
loves  to  have  it  so.  He  blesses  them,  and  manifests  himself  to 
tliem  in  this  way.  So  it  was  with  the  disciples  after  his  crucifixion 
and  death.  They  resorted  together,  and  communed  with  each  other  ; 
and  Jesus,  though  unknown  to  them  at  first,  joined  company  with 
them,  expounded  the  scriptures  to  thorn,  opened  their  understarid- 
ings  ;  and  they  said  one  to  another,  ''  Did  not  our  hearts  burn  within 
us  as  he  talked  with  us  by  the  way  ?"   Sec.  Luke  xxvi.  32. 

So  the  true  disciples  of  the  Old  Testament  church  exhort  one 
another  in  faith.  "  We  shall  know,  we  shall  follow  on  to  kriow  the 
Lord."  So  the  words  may  be  rendered.  Those  who  know  a  little 
of  Jesus'  love,  and  are  but  just  brought  acquainted  witli  his  free- 
grace  and  salvation,  shall  hold  on  their  way.  Knowledge,  light, 
peace,  and  love  shall  increase  to  their  souls,  through  that  Spirit  by 
whom  they  arc  regenerated  and  born  again.  Though  at  first  they 
are  but  "  babes  in  Christ,  yet,  through  the  milk  of  the  word,  they 
shall  grow  and  increase,  with  the  increase  of  God.''  The  going- 
forth  of  the  love  of  Jesus  towards  us,  is  as  the  morning.  At  the 
dawn  of  day,  light  is  scarce  discernible  :  it  sccn[is  opposed  by  sur- 
rounding darkness,  yet  it  gradually  increases  till  the  sun  gahis  its 
meridian.  So  "  the  path  of  the  just  shincth  more  and  more  unto  the 
perfect  day." 

The  sun  never  forsakes  the  earth,  tliough  at  seasons  its  light  and 
heat  seem  withdrawn  in  comfort  and  enjoyment.  Thus  it  is  with 
tlie  sun  of  righteousness  ;  he  shall  also  "  come  unto  us  as  the  rain," 
to  rcfesh,  enliven,  and  make  our  souls,  fruitful  in  knowledge,  peace, 
love,  and  holiness  ;  yea,  as  "  the  latter  and  former  rain."  In  the 
land  "of  Israel,  they  had  usually  two  rains  in  a  year,  one  just  after  the 
seed  was  sown,  the  other  when  the  corn  was:  almost  ripe,  and  the 
liarvcst  just  at  hand.  Sometimes,  just  after  the  seed  of  eternal  life 
is  sown  in  the  heaits  of  young  converts  (O  what  joyful,  refreshing- 
seasons  of  love  and  joy  arc  they  favoured  with  !)  their  "  hearts  arc 
fiUdd  with  laughter,  and  Ihcir  tongues  with  joy."  Others  experience 
the  most  plentiful  showers  of  heart-reviving  love,  just  as  the  sickle- 
is  to  cut  them  down,  that  they  may  be  gathered  in  to  the  heavenly 
garner.  Our  heavenly  husl)andmaivkuows  best  what  seasons  to  give,  , 
whether  the  storm  of  adliction,  the  rain  of  prosperity,  or  the  sunshine 
of  joy.  ^  This  is  our  merry.  «  Jesus  is  a  God  of  judgment  j  blesseel 
arc  all  ihcy  that  wail  for  him,"  Isa.  xxk.  18. 


MARCH  29.  101 

The  sacrifices  of  God  are  a  frrof-en  spirit:  a  broken  and  a 
contrite  heart,  OGod,  thou  wilt fiot despise  — l^bulm  li  17. 

It  is  the  wisdom  and  joy  of  disciples  to  sec  somewhat  of  Jesus 
in  every  pa;;e  of  the  lively  oracles.  Then  the  word  is  seurched  with 
pleasure,  studied  with  deiii^^ht,  and  is  n»ude  exceeding  profitable  to 
the  soul.  To  this  end  the  sins  and  buckslidings,  the  humiiiulions 
and  repentings,  the  joys  and  experiences  of  saints  of  old  are  recorded. 
We  see  their  deserts  to  be  the  lowest  hell:  but  grace  reigns. 
Though  sin  abounded  in  thenn,  yet  grace  super-abounded  over  them. 
But  all  is  through  Jesus  ;  no  mercy  for  sinful  man,  but  through  that- 
dear  man  and  blessed  Mediator. 

So  he  glorifies  his  name,  so  he  makes  known  his  power  to  be 
«  the  same  yesterday,  to  day,  and  for  ever,"  in  saving  his  people 
from  their  sins.  Though  sin  may  blind  the  eyes  to  his  love,  and 
harden  the  heart  against  his  fear,  and  the  spirit  become  stout  and 
rebellious  for  a  season,  yet  see  his  amazing  love  ;  behold  the  effects 
of  his  almighty  grace  :  a  cruel,  murdering,  adulterous,  yet  beloved 
David  shall  be  arraigned,  plead  guilty,  sue  for  mercy,  and  hope  for 
pardon.  But  did  a  broken  spirit  and  a  contrite  heart  entitle  him  to 
this  ?  Did  he  plead  his  present  ^^iefs  and  humiliations  to  atone  for 
his  past  transgressions  ?  No,  alas,  if  he  had  no  other  hope  than  this, 
horror  and  black  despair  would  have  been  the  portion  of  his  back- 
sliding soul.  God  will  not,  doth  not,  cannot  bestow  pardon  of  sin, 
till  he  makes  the  soul  sensible  of,  and  sorry  for  sin.  Nor  will  he 
ever  despise,  abhor,  or  reject  broken-hearted,  contrite  souls.  For 
his  Spirit  effects  this  in  them.  Though  no  plea  can  be  founded  for 
this,  yet  the  soul  is  sweetly  encouraged  hereby  to  hope  ;  because 
here  is  an  evidence  tliat  the  Lord  hatli  not  given  up  such  to  a  repro- 
bate mind  ;  still  he  works  in  them  ;  they  feel  the  effects.  A  sense 
of  guilt  is  dreadful  to  be  bonie,  distressing  to  feel ;  therefore  such 
cry  for  deliverance  ;  "  Restore  unto  me  the  joys  of  thy  salvation." 

Our  loving  Lord  breaks  the  heart  for  sin,  though  sin  cannot  break 
the  covenant  of  his  love  ;  therefore  sin  shall  not  reign  unto  death. 

0  soul,  art  thou  mourning  for  thy  sins  ?  Remember  /ihn  on  whom 
the  iniquity  of  us  all  was  laid.  Look  to  him  "  who  bore  our  sins  in 
his  own  body  on  the  tree  ;  by  whose  stripes  we  are  healed."  A  con- 
trite spirit  flies  from  the  pleasures  of  sin,  which  are  but  for  a  season : 
it  cannot  rest  till  former  joys  are  restored  ;  it  is  also  solicitous  aboiii 
his  future  walk,  lest  he  fall  again  ;  therefore  cries,  "  Uphold  me 
with  thy  free  spirit,"  ver.  12. 

1  cannot  live  without  thy  light,  O  may  thy  love  inspire  mv  toiigiie  ; 
Cast  out  and  banish'd  from  thy  sight :  Salvatidn  shall  be  all  my  song  : 
Thine  holy  joys,  my  God,  restore.  And  all  my  powers  sliall  join  to  bless 
And  guard  me  that  I  f^U  i^  more.  Tlie  Lord,  mv  strppgth  and  rishteotisnes*. 

Vol.  I.  N 


102  MARCH  30. 

Arf  ye  not  carnal,  and  walk  as  men? — 1  Cor.  iii.  3, 

'fjiK  pliic.sc  carnal  saints^  the  self-righteous  look  on  as  a  very 
<p;  .<  biious  tcim,  us  though  contradictory  to  the  character  of  a  real 
th.'.uun.  JBut  such  persons  differ  in  judgment  from  an  inspired 
a  >^stle.  Pi.ul  calls  these  Corinthian  converts,  "  babes  in  Christ ;" 
w'ulc  he  s.,iys  to  them,  "  Ye  are  yet  camal,"  Yea,  he  appeals  to 
their  judgments:  "Arc  ye  not  so?"  Doth  not  your  walk,  your 
words,  youi-  strife,  your  views,  give  sad  evidence  of  the  truth  of 
this  my  L-ssertion  ?  do  you  not  act  and  behave  too  much  like  men  who 
are  strangers  to  Jesus,  and  the  life  and  power  of  vital  godliness  \  But 
believers  are  a  compound  of  flesh  and  spirit.  The  new-created 
soul  dwells  in  a  sinful  body,  tmd  is  opposed  by  a  carnal  nature. 
There  may  be  true  grace  within,  though  much  carnality  appears 
without.  Weak  faith  in  Jesus  may  be  opposed  with  strong  corrup- 
tions and  unbelief — a  little  ti'ue  knowledge  of  Jesus  in  the  hearty 
yet  beset  with  great  ignorance  and  weakness  of  judgment — the 
dawning  of  true  hope  in  Jesus,  but  interposed  with  clouds  of  darkness 
— tlie  stirrings  of  real  love  to  Jesus,  but  resisted  by  the  love  ot  the 
world,  and  the  objects  of  sense — real  esteem  for  a  preached  gospel, 
and  yet  carnal  contc  ntions,  and  debates,  may  arise  about  ministers 
and  things  of  no  real  profit  to  the  soul.  This  is  true.  Yet  such  weak- 
lings in  the  faith,  such  babes  in  Christ,  are  as  safe,  because  beloved 
by  the  same  F.-.thcr,  redeenjed  by  the  same  precious  biood  of  Jesus, 
and  renewed  by  the  power  of  the  same  Spirit,  as  young  men  and 
fathers  in  Christ ;  but  indeed  they  are  not  so  happy  ;  they  do  not 
glorify  God  so  much  ;  they  do  not  bring  forth  so  much  fruit  to  God, 
nor  so  greatly  adorn  the  gospel  of  Jesus  as  those  who  are  strong  in 
the  grace  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  more  established  in  the  fidth, 
and  love  of  him. 

But  let  not  such  discourage  their  hearts,  nor  entertain  hai'd 
thoughts  of  our  loving  master  Jesus,  as  though  he  expected  to 
reap  where  he  has  not  sown.  Let  them  not  burden  their  weak 
minds  with  things  that  are  too  strong,  nor  exercise  their  tender 
hearts  with  matters  that  are  too  high  ;  but  let  them  simply  consider 
Jesus  ;  look  to  the  Lamb  of  God,  confess  their  weakness  at  his  feet, 
praying  to  him  for  strength,  studying  his  word  for  knowledge  ;  and, 
"  as  new-born  babes;  desire  the  sincere  milk  of  the  word,  that  they 
mi^y  grow  thereby."  "  For  those  that  be  plantec{  in  the  house  of  the 
Lord,  shall  flourish  in  the  courts  of  our  God,"  Psalm  xcii.  IS. 
"  Fear  thou  not,  for  I  am  with  theq  ;  be  not  dismayed,  for  I  am  thy 
God  ;  I  will  strengthen  thee  ;  yea,  I  will  help  thee  ;  yea,  I  will  up- 
hold thee  wilh  the  right  hand  of  my  righteousness,"  Isa.  xli.  10. 


MARCH  31.  i03 

The  wicked  is  driven  away  in  his  xvickedness.:  hut  ther'>;^li- 
teous  hath  hope  in  his  death. — Piov.  .siv.  3^. 

'  O,  IT  is  most  comfortable,  in  a  dying  hour,  to  look  buck  upori 
a  wcll-speut  life,'  suy  many.  It  is  most  con.loiu.bit  lo  '•  icit^ti  li>e 
things  that  are  behind,  and  to  look  forward,  ai:tJ  prt  bs  toUctrc.s  the 
murk  for  the  prize  of  our  high-calliiig  of  God  in  C'liriai  Jtsus*/'  t>Jih 
the  christian.  Fhil,  lii.  14.  What  a  delightful  pi uspect,  it.  a  tK'ug 
hour,  to  view  a  reconciled  God,  a  glorititcl  Jcbus,  aj.d  i.kir.gdci'  pie- 
pared  for  us  from  the  foundation  of  the  worid  !  but  if  w<  hi:ve  i.ot 
experienced  a  life  of  faith  on  Jesus,  and  by  the  grace  of  God  hv.iX  our 
conversation  in  tlie  world,  a  life  of  self-iighteousii^ss  wiii  only  ucget 
vain  confidence,  and  delude  the  soul  with  f.ilse  hopes,  wliich  will  end 
in  awful  disiippointment  at  death.  But  who  are  the  wicketir' Verily 
all  who  reject  the  faith  of  the  Son  of  God,  itfusc  to  subuiit  to  his 
righteousness,  hope  in  themselves,  and  trust  to  what  they  can  do  lo 
make  themselves  righteous,  and  to  make  their  peace  with  Ciod. 
This  is  the  very  essence  of  wickedness.  All  such  are  destitute  of 
righteousness:  their  eyes  arc  blinded  by  sin:  their  hearts  are  hardened 
against  the  truth.  Living  tmd  dying  so,  they  shall  be  driven  awi.y 
from  the  comforts  of  the  righteous  in  the  awful  hour  of  death  ;  in  the 
tremendous  day  of  judgment,  they  shall  be  driven  away  fioni  the 
presence  of  Jesus,  with  "  Go,  ye  cursed." 

Who  are  the  righteous  ?  Even  all  who  receive  the  gilt  of  new 
covenant  love,  the  gift  of  righteousness,  which  "  come th  upon  isil 
the  children  of  faitli  by  one,  Jesus  Christ,"  Rom.  v.  17.  'liie 
righteous  man  is  of  divine  extraction  ;  born  ag.iin  from  above,  he 
hath  the  mind  of  Christ,  he  loveth  righteousness  and  hateth  ini^iuity. 
The  righteous  hath  hope  in  a  God  of  justice,  hope  in  a  Godof  truth, 
liope  in  a  God  of  faithfulness,  because  his  hope  staiidcth  in  God'c 
own  covenant  grace  and  love,  which  maketh  sinners  righteous  in 
Jesus.  This  hope  shall  never  forsake  the  rigiiteous  :  it  animates  him 
in  life  to  love  and  obedience  ;  it  comforts  him  in  death  against  fears  of 
wrath  and  terrors  of  hell  ;  it  inspires  him  with  joyial  assuiiuice  of  a 
crown  of  lighteousncssin  life  and  immortality,  according  to  the  free- 
grace,  precious  promises  of  God,  through  the  righteousness  of  Jcsus. 

Well  might  that  eminently  faithful  minister  of  Jesus,  tl.e  late  Kcv. 
Mr.  Htirvey,  so  sweetly  fall  asleep,  with  this  hope  in  his  heart,  while 
his  lips  were  warbling  his  dying  song,  '  Precious  salvation  !  precious 
salvation  ! — O  precious  grace  !  precious  promises  !  precious  failh^ 
precious  hope  I  All  flowing  to  poor  sinners,  through  the  perlect 
righteousness  and  precious  blood  of  the  infinitely  and  etermdly  pre- 
cious Jesus.'  Well  might  St.  Paul  sum  up  all  our  blessedness  in  that 
apostohc  benediction,  which  includes  all  our  hopes  ;  "  The  grace  of 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  the  love  of  God,  and  the  communion  of 
the  Holy  Ghost,  be  with  you  all.  Amen,"  S)  Cor,  xiii.  !  4. 


104  APRIL  1. 

The  671(1  of  all  things  is  at  hand  •  be  ye  therefore  sober ^ 
and  watch  unto  prayer. —  1  Pet.  iv.  7. 
The  word  of  grace  aiid  truth,  like  a  judicious  physician  for  the 
body,  prescribes  diflcrcr.t  recipes  for  the  soul.  Sometimes  the  bitter 
draught  of  affliction  ;  at  others  the  strengthening,  conitorting  balsam 
of  faith,  with  the  restorative  mixture  of  love;  but  at  all  times  a 
necessary  regimen,  whereby  to  rule  and  govern  our  lives,  so  that 
our  souls  may  prosper  and  be  in  good  health. 

To  use  means  in  Lith  is  our  bounden  duty  :  to  neglect  them  is  a 
contempt  of  the  wise  prescriber  ;  whereby  we  sufi'er  loss  and  receive 
hurt  to  our  souls.  As  faitli  binds  the  soul  to  Jesus  in  the  sweet 
bands  of  love,  so  it  produces  a  conformity  to  him  in  heart  ana  lite. 
As  the  Spirit  enriches  the  soul  with  precious  graces,  so  they  are 
accompanied  with  his  transforming  iutluejice.  He  ever  directs  to 
the  word  he  has  inspired,  that  we  may  be  taught  to  avoid  those 
things  contrary  thereto ;  and  also  to  practice  those  duties,  wiiich 
have  a  native  tendency  to  strengthen  the  soul  in  persevering  in, 
holiness  and  truth. 

An  intemperate  thirst  after,  and  inordinate  indulging  ourselves  in 
the  enjoyment  of  any  of  the  good  creatures  of  this  life,  sacliy  indis- 
pose the  mind  to  spiritual  concerns.  This  is  contrary  to  the 'liie  of 
faith  ;  interrupts  sweet  communion  with  the  Father  oi  spirits,  deadens 
the  heart  to  holy  fellowship  with  Jesus,  and  opposeth  the  comlorting 
consolations  of  the  blessed  Spirit.  Hence  tlie  soul  finds  great  lan- 
guors, deadness,  and  formality, in  its  addresses  at  the  tnrone  ot  grace. 
Thy  soul  and  mine  is  therefore  called  upon  to  consider,  time,  how 
short !  eternity,  how  near  1  The  judge  is  at  the  door.  AH  things 
are  on  the  pouit  of  dissolution.  1  am  expecting  the  messenger  to 
call  me  hence. 

Since  continuance  here  is  so  uncertain,  all  worldly  enjOyments  so 
precarious,  and  all  certainly  perish  with  the" using,  what  ten.perance, 
what  sobriety  of  conduct  becomes  one  ?  And  this  is  certain,  Jesus, 
witli  his  much  incense,  is  ever  before  the  throne.  It  is  a  mercy- 
seat^  sprinkled  with  his  precious  blood.  From  hence  all  grace  is 
bestowed  ;  all  power  given.  «.)  may  we  be  concerned  to  watch  con- 
tinually against  the  motions  of  the  enemy,  the  stirruigs  of  pride  and 
lust  !  watching  in  prayer  for  the  power  ol  the  Spirit ;  watching  atcer 
prayer  for  iin  answer  of  peace.  And  when,  disciple,  is  the  time  that 
thf^  exercise  may  be  omitted  ?  Verily,  not  till  laith  is  lost  in  sight, 
hope  is  turned  hito  enjoyment,  and  prayer  is  lost  in  praise.  O  wnut 
a  precious  word  is  this  from  our  Jesus  :  "  Whatsoever  ye  shall  ask 
in  my  name,  that  will  I  do,"  John  xiv.  iS. 
AihI  shall  I  then  nei^Icct  to  pray,  Foibul  it,  Lord  !  thy  Spirit  send, 

W  hen  Jesus  thiifi  declares  ?  To  fjiiickeii  cv'i-y  thoui^ht  ; 

Despise  lus  word,  refuse  liis  aid,  To  soar  al)ove  ihist  rifling  «orl<l, 

Aliiislst  ten  thousand  snai-cs  *  Till  I  to  Uice  ara  brought.  M; 


APRIL  2.  105 

He  restoreth  my  soul :  he  leadetli  me  in  the  paths  of  righ- 
teousness, for  his  name  s  sake. — Pb.uin  x.\iii.  3. 

WJTtf  gratitude  and  joy,  every  believer  litis  daily  cause  to  ad- 
dress his  soul  in  the  words  spoken  to  Naomi  at  the  birth  ot  Obed, 
"  Blessed  be  the  Lord,  ;vho  hatli  not  left  thee  this  day  without  a  knis- 
man  or  redeemer,  whose  name  is  fiuBous  in  Israel,  who  shall  be  uuto 
thee  a  restorer  of  thy  life,"  Ruth  iv/  14,  15.  To  the  glory  ot  Jesus 
be  it  ever  remembered,  that  life  once  received  from  him  can  never  be 
lost.  The  soul  once  quickened  from  a  deaih  in  trespasses  and  sins, 
dicth  no  more  ;  death  hath  no  more  dominion  over  it;  for  it  is  deliver- 
ed from  tlie  cause  of  death,  sin.  Partaking  of  tne  life  of  grace  from 
Jesus,  sin  has  no  more  dominion  over  it  to  kill  and  destroy  it. 

But  though  the  soul  enjoys  life  in  Jesus,  yet  sin  is  noixlead.  It 
dwelleth  in  us  ;  it  worketh  in  the  members,  and  opposeih  the  life, 
peace  and  comfort  of  the  new-born  soul.  Is  tliere  a  day  passeth  but  v/e 
find  that  the  old  man  is  still  alive  ?  Yea,  at  times  tiic  soul  is  so  press- 
ed above  measure,  that  it  almost  despairs  of  iife.  It  seems  to  ^eusc 
and  experience,  as  tliough  the  sentence  of  death  was  executed.  O  now 
then  doth  Jesus  again  revive  and  restore  it  I  Sui  often  brings  death 
upon  the  comforts  of  the  soul,  though  it  cannot  touch  its  iife  ;  tliat 
is  secure  in  the  life-giving  head;  "It  is  hid  with  Christ  in  God," 
Col.  iii.  3.  Believers  can  never  sin  themselves  beyond  the  extent 
of  Christ's  love,  nor  the  reach  of  his  power  to  restore  them.  Tlie 
precious  blood  of  Jesus  is  all-sufficient  to  purge  away  ail  sin  from 
the  conscience — yea,  sins  of  the  deepest  die.  See  then  the  exceed- 
ing  sinfulness  of  sin  in  the  most  exceedhig  precious  fountain  that  is 
opened  for  its  cleansing.  See  the  love  and  ,gare  of  the  foitlitUi  shep- 
herd in  restoring  his  wandering  sheep.  But  know,  O  soul,  when- 
ever thou  dost  deviate  from  the  path  oP  Jesus,  or  oacksiidc  into  sin, 
thou  turnest  thy  back  upon  thy  best  friend,  thy  kindest  Lord  ;  thou 
joinest  thyself  to  his  implacable  foes.  True,  so  uachur.gcabie  is  the 
love  of  Jesus  he  will  restore  tlie  souls  of  his  members  ;  but  love  mil-. 
glcs  bitter  potions  to  do  this  ;  and  the  most  bitter  of  all  is,  thou  sin- 
nest  against  the  richest  grace  and  most  precious  love  that  ever  w.'S 
known  :  love^  that  has  followed,  and  will  follow  tliee  ill  thy  di.ys  ; 
love,  that  will  heal  thy  backslidings,  and  restore  thy  soul ;  love.,  that 
will  lead  thee  in  the  paths  of  righteousness  to  salvatxn  ai;(l  glory. 
When  thou  remembcrest  this  tliou  wilt  bfe  ashamed  and  conu?ui.dcd 
for  all  that  thou  hast  done,  and  love  him  who  doth  all  for  Li^  la-juc's 
sake  freely. 

Lord,  my  restorer  and  my  guide.  Then  v  ill  T  pniise,  at  thy  dear  feet, 
How  apt  am  I  to  stray  !  Thy  tender  caie  and  love, 

0  keep  me  near  tin  blessed  side.  Which  hrou-lit  lue  tl;ro'  this  desert  1  iinl, 
T^atil  the  perfect  day.  To  rcalias  of  bliss  above.  >f  • 


106  APRIL  3. 

Forasmuch  then  as  the  children  are  partakers  offiesh  and 
blond  he  also  himself  likewise  took  part  of  the  same :  that 
through  death  he  might  destroy  him  that  had  the  power 
of  death,  that  is  the  Devil — Heb.  ii.  14. 

Wb  read  of  one  who  was  so  affected  with  the  glory  of  the  sun, 
that  he  thought  he  v/as  born  only  to  behold  it.  Witli  what  propriety 
may  a  christian  judge  of  himself,  that  he  is  born  again  to  behold  the 
glory,  and  delight  himself  in  daily  conterriphitiug  Jesus  the  sun  of 
righteousness  1  Lord,  thou  shalt  never  stoop  to  that  mean  office  of 
"  wasiiing  my  feet,"  said  honest-hearted  Peter.  But  what  was  that 
stoop  of  abasement,  when  Jesus  was  in  fi.esh,  compared  to  his  taking 
flesh  upon  him  ?  Be  astonished,  O  heavens  1  rejoice,  O  childien  of 
faith  !  admire,  adore,  what  you  never  can  fully  compreneiiti :  tlie 
Lord  of  life  and  glory  in  your  nature,  clothed  with  llcsh  and  blood  : 
a  man  of  sorrows  and  acquainted  with  griefs.  See  Jesus,  consider 
Jesus.  O  dwell  in  contemplation  on  the  humility  of  our  God  Jesus, 
till  it  warms  the  heart  with  love.  Say,  which  is  greatest,  his  love,  or 
his  humility  ! 

He  took  part  with  "  the  children."  Such  was  Jacob's  delight  in 
Benjamin,  that  "his  life  was  bound  up  in  the  lad's  life,"  Gen.  xliv, 
50.  The  soul  of  Jonathan  was  so  knit  to  David,  that  "he  loved  him 
as  his  own  soul,"  1  Sam.  xviii.  1.  Verily  our  life  is  bound  up  ^n  the 
life  of  Jesus.  Truly  he  hath  lov(  d  us  better  than  life.  He  took  our 
part  agauKst  our  invincible  foes,  sin,  sutan,  and  death.  He  hath  con- 
quered all — for  whom  ?  "  the  children  ;"  by  nature  cliildrcn  of  wrath, 
by  practice  rebels  against  God  ;  yet,  amazing  gi'ace  I  the  objects  of 
Ihe  Father's  love.  Hence  given  to  Jesus  to  redeem  and  save.  They 
had  an  interest  in  Jesus'  love  ere  they  had  a  being  in  the  flesh. 
Therefore  he  prays  for  them  as  their  Mediator  ;  he  owns  them  by 
that  special  mark  which  the  Holy  Ghost  puts  upon  each  of  them  in 
tlic  day  of  his  power,  faith.  "  1  pray  for  them  also  which  shall  be- 
lieve on  me,"  John  xvii.  20 

We  may  joyfully  triumph,  "If  Jesus  be  for  us,  who  shall  be 
against  us  ?"  "  The  Lord  taketh  my  part,  therefore  I  shall  see  my 
desire  upon  them  that  hate  me,"  Psalm  cxviii.  7.  Lvery  believer 
JTiay  be  sure  of  victory.  Faith  in  Jesus  overcomes  the  world,  dis- 
arms death  oi  its  sting,  which  is  sin  ;  enfeebles  the  strengtli  of  sJrn 
which  is  the  law.  By  the  btood  of  the  Lamb,  satan  is  overcome. 
Tims  we  are  more  than  conquerors  through  him  who  loved  us. 
Christ  gained  the  crnnucst  in  our  nature,  over  satan  and  death,  by 
faking  aw;iy  that  which  gives  power  to  both,  over  his  children,  niru 
This  he  effected  by  iiis  own  death  :  fOr  he  that  died  once  for  sin,  ever 
lives  to  save.  "  'ihanks  be  to  God,  who  giveth  us  the  victory, 
through  eur  Lord  Jesus  Christ,"   1  Cor.  xv.  57. 


,     APRIL  4.  107 

In  a  little  wrath  1  hid  myself  from  thee  for  a  moment,  but 
-with   everlasting;  kindness  will  1  have  mercy  on  thee^ 
saith  the  Lord  thy  Redeemer  — Isa.  liv,  8. 
Love  is  ever  open  and  communicative  :  it  conceals  nothing  fiora 
the  object  beloved,  which  may  profit  or  comfort  tlie  mind.     "  Shall  I 
hide  from  Abraham  thut  thing  which  I  do  ?"  saith  the  God  of  love, 
concerning  his  friend,  Gen.  xviii.  1 7.     Of  those  that  follow  the  Lamb 
he  saith,  "  Ye  are  my  friends."     Servants  are  not  made  acquainted 
with  their  masters'  secrets,  but  friends  are.     Therefore  saith  Jesus, 
the  great  interpreter  of  covenant  love,  "  All  tilings  that  I  have  heard 
of  my  Father,  F  have  made  knowi  unto  you,"  Jolin  xv.  15.     Chil- 
dren shall  not  be  chastised,  but  they  shall   be  told  of  the  Father's 
kindness  and  mercy  in  it.     Love  is  ever  in  his  heart,  though  wrath 
may  appear  in  his  conduct. 

The  joy  of  creation  is  revived  by  the  bright  shining  of  tlie  sun. 
When  that  is  withdrawn,  clouds,  mists,  and  darkness  gather,  So 
when  the  sun  of  righteousness  hides  himscll  from  the  soul,  it  seems 
a  dark  season  of  wrath.  The  mists  of  corruption  arise  ;  the  thick 
fog  of  unbelief  spreads  itself;  the  gloom  of  dejection  hangs  heavy  on 
the  piind  ;  and  the  prince  of  darkness  is  very  busy  at  such  a  season  : 
like  Job's  friends,  he  is  a  physician  of  no  value,  but  a  miserable  com- 
forter to  the  soul.  Now  all  sense,  nature,  and  feeling,  write  bitter 
things  against  the  poor  sinner.  The  Father  chastises,  the  Saviour 
hides  himself,  the  law  accuses,  conscience  condemns,  sin  terrifies, 
satan  threatens,  but — Father,  thy  mercy  never  dies  Thy  love  chan- 
ges not.  Therefore  faith  endures  and  turns  to  the  law  of  love. 
What  saith  that?  "In  a  little  wrath  I  h^d  myself."  Little  in  compari- 
son oi'  thy  deserts,  O  soul  ! — little  compared  with  the  greatness  of 
the  love  of  thy  God.  Faith  listens  to  the  testimony  of  Jesus,  The 
Lord  thy  Redeemer  speaks  :  '  My  deserting  thee  is  of  the  shortest 
duration  ;  a  moment ;  the  twinkling  of  an  eye  :  as  no  space  of  time 
compared  to  eternity.  Then  love  vents  itself  and  declares,  "  With 
everlasting  kindness  T  will  have  merey  on  thee." 

The  word  of  the  Lord  shall  stand.  His  covenant  is  sure  ;  his  love 
unchangeable  ;  his  promises  inmiu table  :  hence  the  soul  is  excited  to 
confidence,  to  assurance,  full  assurance  ;  yea  the  fullest  assurance  of 
a  God  of  truth,  though  all  present  appearances  seem  against  it.  .Then 
hope  dawns  in  the  soul,  and  love  to  Jesus  is  quickened.  Holy  shame 
and  godly  sorrow,  for  past  follies,  fill  the  heart,  while  the  comforter 
inwardly  testifies  of  Jesus.  His  love,  how  infinite!  his  salvation, 
how  perfect !  his  person,  how  precious  !  his  promises,  how  reviving! 
his  presence,  how  joyful !  and  every  thing  which  interrupts  it,  how 
exceeding  hateful  and  abominal)le!  For  such  is  Jesus'  love;  "Weep- 
ing may  endure  for  anight  (of  desertion),  but  joy  cometh  in  the 
morning  (of  his  returning  presence},''  Psalm  xxx.  5. 


108  APRIL  5. 

yind  the  acknowledging  of  the  truth,  which  is  ajter  godli- 
ness ;  accordin(r  to  the  faith  of  God  s  elect.   -Tit.  i.  I. 

St.  Paul,  though  an  eminently  distinguished  apostle  ot  Jesus, 
}'et,  in  regard  to  the  salvution  of  his  own  soul,  his  extraordinary  gifts 
procured  it  not ;  nor  could  his  former  hatred  and  persecution  ot  Jesus 
and  his  members  frustrate  the  electing  love  of  God,  or  obstruct  the 
sovereign  operations  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  But  being  chosen  of  God 
in  ^hrist  Jesus,  his  heart  must  partake  of  the  precious  faith  of  God's 
elect.  Love,  almighty,  wonderful  love,  seized  him  ;  Jesus  challeng- 
ed him  as  one  of  liis  redeemed  souls  ;  stopped  him  in  his  mad  ca- 
reer ;  touched  his  heart,  and  brought  him  trembUng  and  astonished 
to  his  feet :  and  the  power  of  faith  in  his  heai't  was  manifested  by  the 
obedient  cry  of  his  lips,  "  Lord,  M'hat  wilt  tliou  have  me  to  do  ?" 
Acts.  ix.  6. 

Thus  election  is  a  doctrine  according  to  godliness.  Faith  m  the 
heart  is  an  evidence  of  interest  in  God's  electing  love.  It  is  a  special 
gift  of  grace,  and  is  connected  with  salvation,  Eph.  ii.  8.  Faith 
proves  itself  to  be  a  genuine  grace  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  for  it  submits 
to  and  trusts  in  Jesus'  righteousness  for  justification  ;  his  blood  for 
pardon  ;  his  all-prevailing  merits  and  intercession  for  life.  Thus 
faith  glorifies  Jesus  as  priest,  to  atone  ;  honors  Jesus  as  king,  t© 
laile  and  govern  ;  and  yields  obedience  to  him  as  a  prophet,  to  in- 
struct in  the  truths  of  godliness.  So  the  believing  soul  is  stript  of 
every  self-righteous  plea ;  brought  as  an  hunible,  self-condemned 
sinner  to  the  feet  of  Jesus  ;  and  glories  in  him  as  his  only  hope  for 
life  and  whole  salvation.  If  there  is  no  election  of  sinners  by  God 
the  Father,  there  is  no  true  faith  ;  for  saving  faith  is  peculiar  to 
God's  elect  only.  Do  any  object,  '  I  do  not  believe  the  doctrine  of 
election  ?'  We  only  say,  we  cannot  help  you,  we  pity  you,  you  do 
not  understand  your  bible,  you  do  not  yet  "  acknowledge  the  truth 
which  is  after  godliness."  The  faith  of  God's  elect  springs  from 
God's  electing  love  ;  has  Jesus  for  its  author  and  finisher,  his  life 
and  death  for  its  object,  the  truths  of  God's  word  for  its  warnmt, 
God's  promise  in  Christ  Jesus  its  support,  love  and  holiness  its  evi- 
dence, sure  and  certidn  salvation  is  its  end.  Well  may  this  be  call- 
ed precious  faith  indeed. 

Whereas  mere  Iiuman  faith,  as  it  arises  only  from  the  power  of 
the^reature,  it  centers  only  in  nature  and  self,  talks  high  of  terms  and 
eonditions,  boasts  much  of  human  abilities,  opposes  free-grace,  ex- 
alts the  sinner,  debases  Jesus,  denies  the  in>put:.tion  of  his  righ- 
teousness, and  renders  salvation  not  only  precarious  and  uncertain, 
bu*^  utterly  impossible.  O  soul,  study  this  truth  daily  !  it  tends  to 
humility  and  rejoicing.  "  By  grace  are  ye  saved,  through  faith  ;  and 
that  notof  yourpclvos  :  it  is  the  gift  of  God,"  Eph.  ii.  8. 


*^  '    APRIL  G.  109 

Therefore  with  joy  shall  ye  draw  water  out  of  the  wells 
of  salvation. — Isa.  xii.  3. 

Why,  therefore  ?  What  had  the  church  done  to  procure  such 
an  insstiniuble  promise  ?'  O  the  joyful  day  of  her  public  espousal  to 
Jesus  is  come.  That  daij.,  that  blessed  day  of  power,  when  the 
loring-  bride  claims  her  beloved  bridegroom,  Jesus,  Therefore  she 
sings  this  joyful  song,  "  Behold  God  is  my  salvation  ;  1  will  trust 
and  not  be  afraid,  for  the  Lord  Jehovah  is  my  strength  and  my  song  ; 
he  also  is  become  my  salvation."  The  claims  of  the  faith  of  poor 
sinners  are  well  pleasing  in  the  sight  of  God  ;  they  honor  his  word, 
glorify  him,  and  cause  joy  in  heaven  among  the  angels  ;  while  the 
humble  claimants  obtain  the  consolation  and  joy  thereof.  ■"  'Ihcm 
that  honor  me  I  will  honor,  saith  the  I.oid,"  '^  therefore  with  joy 
■shall  they  draw,"  &c. 

This  was  not  to  be  a  transient  fit  of  comfort,  but  an  incxhavistiblc 
fountain  of  joy.  Believers  are  to  come  daily  and  draw  water  with 
joy  out  of  the  wells  of  salvation.  Jehovah,  the  Fatlicr,  is  "  the 
fountain  of  living  w^aters,"  Jer.  ii.  13.  Salvation  talies  its  first 
spring  from  his  everlasting  love,  is  secured  by  his  unalterable  cove- 
nant and  unchangeable  promises.'  The  Spirit  and  his  grace  are  called 
"a  well  of  water,  springing  up  to  everlasting  life,"  John  iv.  14. 
He  shews  poor  sinners  their  want  of  Jesus  this  living  water,  its 
freeness  and  sweetness;  supplies  them  with  the  bucket  of  faith  to 
draw  with  joy,  and  drink  with  pleasure.  This  well  of  salvation  by 
Jesus  was  opened  in  paradise  :  its  streams  have  run  through  every 
successive  age  of  the  church.  Pcttriarchs,  prophets,  apostles,  be- 
lievers in  all  ages  have  had  their  hearts  made  glad,  and  tlieir  souls 
joyful  thereby.  * 

The  everlasting  love  of  the  Father,  the  rich  grace  of  the  Son,  the 
exuberant  joy  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  compose  these  wells  of  salvation. 
Yet  it  is  but  one  fountain  of  grace,  flowing  from  the  unity  of  the 
divine  essence,  and  is  communicated  to  us  out  of  the  fulness  of  the 
man  Jesus  :  hence  we  are  invited  by  Jesus,  "  O  friends,  O  beloved, 
drink  !  yea  drink  abundantly,"  Cant.  v.  1 .  This  fountain  is  ever 
free,  full,  and  inexhaustible.  Why,  O  why  then  are  we  not  always 
joyfvd  ?  Why  do  we  ever  complain  for  want  oi  con)fort  ?  This  well  is 
ever  open,  this  fountain  ever  near.  Why  do  we  so  much  neglect',  so 
often  forsake  this  fountain  of  living  watei's  ?  Where  "is  your  faith  ? 
Why  is  thai  precious  grace  given  us,  but  for  use  and  exercise  ?  So 
shall  we  the  more  glorify  the  God  of  all  consolation,  be  refreshed  in 
our  spirits,  and  made  fruitful  in  our  lives  ;  and  our  thirst  allayed 
after  the  perisliing  comforts  of  time  and  sense.  For  saith  Jesus, 
«<  Whosoever  drinkcth  of  the  water  that  I  shall  give  him,  shall  neve^^ 
thirsc,"  John  iv.    1 4. 

Vol..  I.  O 


110  APRIL  7. 

Even  we  have  believed  in  Jesus  Christ,  that  we  might  be 
justified  by  the  faith  of  ChnU — Gai.  ii.  16. 

"We  therefore  doniiike  this  definition  of  a  christian,  that  he  is 
not  one  who  is  without  sin,  but  one  to  wliom  God  iniputeth  not  liis 
sin  through  faith  in  Christ.  Here  we  must  be  nothing  at  all,  but 
©nly  receive  the  treasure,  which  is  Christ,  and  apprehend  him  in  our 
hearts  by  f;uth,  though  we  feel  ourselves  to  be  never  so  full  of  sin. 
Thus  God  will  glorify  his  Son,  and  be  glorified  in  us  through  him." 
Thus  spCaketh  Luther.  Having  the  same  spirit  of  faith,  we  thus 
speak,  make  the  same  confession,  rejoice  in  the  same  hope,  are  jus- 
tified by  the  same  Jesus,  comforted  by  the  same  truth,  sanctified  by 
the  same  Spirit,  are  heirs  of  the  same  promises,  and  entitled  to  the 
same  kingdom.     And  ever  remember,  all  is  of  free  grace. 

Here  the  most  dignified  apostle,  as  well  as  the  most  obscure  sinner 
are  upon  a  level.  There  is  no  difference.  Both  have  the  same  evils 
Co  be  delivered  from,  the  same  object  to  be  saved  by,  both  believe 
in  one  Jesus  to  the  same  blessed  end,  to  enjoy  peace  and  pardon 
from  God  the  Father.  In  the  knowledge  of  this  consists  all  our 
comfort ;  and  for  this,  as  poor  needy  sinners,  we  are  constantly  to 
cleave  to  Jesus  from  hour  to  hour.  Have  we  believed  many  years 
since,  that  we  might  be  justified  ?  True,  once  justified,  and  ever  so  ;. 
never  after  condemned,  as  viewed  in  Jesvis  in  the  sight  of  God.  "  For 
Avho  shall  lay  any  thing  to  the  charge  of  God's  elect  ?  It  is  God  that 
justifieth,  who  is  he  that  condemneth  ?"  Rom.  viii.  33,  34.  But  how 
is  it  now  in  our.  consciences  ?  Faith  is  a  rooted  grace  ;  it  cannot  be 
lost.  Love  is  its  inseparable  companion ;  sweet  peace  its  blessed 
fruit.  But  "  Do  ye  now  believe  r"  said  Jesus.  Flave  you  the  love  of 
God  noiv  in  you  ?  Doth  the  sense  of  peace  with  God,  through  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  now  abide  in  the  heart  ?  If  not,  uitcrvening  clouds 
from  the  world,  sin,  satan,  or  the  law,  intercept  the  light  of  God's 
countenance,  and  the  sunshine  of  his-love.  What  then  ?  must  we 
live  and  die  without  hope  ?  No  :  blessed  be  God,  he  rests  in  his  love; 
it  is  ever  the  same.  Jesus  ever  lives  and  prays  :  gospel-grace  is 
still  proclaimed  to  the  wi-etched.  Come,  as  at  the  beginning,  to 
Jesus,  owning  sin,  grieving  for  folly,  and  believe  in  him  that  v\  c 
may  be  justified  in  our  consciences,  and  have  a  fresh  sense  of  pardon 
and  peace.  "  They  that  know  thy  name  will  put  their  trust  in  thee  ; 
fo^thou,  Lord,  hast  not  forsaken  them  that  seek  thee,"  Psalm  ix.  10. 

Gf)n(l  rifUKon  lor  my  laith  I  liavo.  The  faith  of  Christ  does  justify 

Di-nwn  from  the  law  oriovc:  'i'lic  ways  of  tioil  to  man  : 

Ms  Fatlier  pave  liis  Son  to  save,  "Ami  *^u^\  in  Chiist  does  justify 

This  gift  dotli  failh  approro.  All  wlio  (hi';  truth  can  scan.    Jf • 


APRIL  8.  Ill 

Commit  thy  way  unto  the  Lord ;  trust  also  in  him,  and hf: 
shall  bring  it  to  pass. — Psulm  xxxvii.  5. 

We  are"  too  apt  to  forget  where  we  arc,  whut  we  are  culled  tOj 
and  whither  we  are  going.  When  we  take  a  survey  of  the  present 
state  of  men  and  thuigs  ',  judge  according  to  appearances  in  nature 
and  sense,  and  see  one  event  happen  alike  to  all,  we  are  ready  to  ask. 
What  advantage  then  hath  the  christian  ?  or  what  profit  is  there  to 
new-born,  believing  souls  ?  Much  every  way.  For  unto  them,  chiefly, 
are  connnitlcd  the  lively  oracles  of  God.  The  bible  is  an  epistle  of 
love.  The  tender  aflections  of  our  loving  Father,  die  living  and 
dying  compassions  of  our  eider  brotlier  Jesus,  breathe  iai  every  page. 
Here  we  see  the  various  conflicts  and  trials  our  former  brethren  in 
the  flesh  were  exercised  with  ;  how  they  were  suppoi'ted  untler,  and 
carried  through  all,  safe  to  glory  ;  and  this,  by  the  very  same  grace 
and  power  which  is  still  our  happy  portion.  They  being  dead,  yet 
speak  to  us  ;  to  animate  and  encourage  our  heai'ts  to  be  strong  in  the 
Lord,  and  in  the  power  of  his  might.  We  see  in  them  the  ine:<:pli- 
cable  mysteries  of  providence  unveiled,  how  out  of  die  wciduiess  of 
nature  they  were  made  strong  in  grace. 

It  is  the  glory  and  excellency  of  believers  to  take  their  views,  and. 
form  their  judgment  from  GodV  truths  ;  to  oppose  nature,  sense, 
and  feeling ;  to  stand  still  and  wait  to  see  the  salvation  of  Goa  ;  to 
omit  no  appointed  means,  but  to  be  diligent  in  the  ways  ol  God's 
institutions ;  quietly  and  patiently  submitting  every  issue  to  his 
wisdom  and  goodness.  This  is  the  obedience  of  faith,  and  is  attended 
with  the  patience  of  hope,  and  the  issue  is  always  determined  in  love  ; 
it  is  impossible  it  should  be  otherwise,  for  it  is  the  immutable  decree 
of  heaven  :  "  all  things  work  together  for  good  to  them  who  love  God, 
to  them  who  arc  the  called  according  to  his  purpose,"  Rom.  viii.  28- 

Commitdng  our  way  to  God  unburdens  the  mind ;  trusting  our 
all  to  him,  makes  the  heart  quite  easy  ;  relying  on  him,  to  bring  our 
cor.ccrns  to  pass,  mc^kes  the  spirit  joyful.  But  when  carnal  reason 
is  suffered  to  make  its  report,  then  with  Jacob  we  cry,  '•  All  these 
things  are  against  us."  Hence  fainting  and  drooping  come  from  fear, 
fear  from  doubting,  doubdng  from  unbelief,  and  unbelief  cliiefly 
prevails  through  ignorance  and  inattention  to  God's  word  of  grace, 
his  covenant  lov(3,  precious  promises,  and  solemn  outh  in  Christ 
Jesus.  Ever  needful  is  this  prayer  of  faith, '» Lord,  increase'  our 
faith,"  Luke  xvii.  5. 

How  easj'  I  live,  Fm  safe  like  a  bird, 

How  joyfiil  I  sing,  Soar'd  liiRh  on  the  wing  - 

Wlieii  I  to  niY  Lord  Sly  Lord  brings  to  pass 

My  waysdo.commit  AH  things  he  sets  l^t^ 


112  APRIL  9. 

7^hou  standest  by  faith.  Be  not  Mgh-mwdedj  but  fear, — 
Rom.  xi.  20. 

So  wc  are  called  upon  by  the  spirit  of  prophesy,  "  Behold,  (c^ivc 
the  most  earnest  attention,  let  this  truth  sink  deep  in  your  heurts) 
his  soul  whieh  is  lifted  up  is  not  upright  in  him,"  Habak.  ii.  4. 
Standing  by  faith,  and  living  by  faith,  are  ever  opposed  to  pride, 
vain  confidence,  and  an  high  conceit  of  our  own  attainments.  True 
faith  in  Jesus  sinks  the  soul  in  humility,  works  by  real  love  to  God, 
is  accompanied  with  a  child-like  fear  of  offendhig  him,  and  excites 
to  a  godly  jealousy  over  our  own  souls,  lest  we  full — fall  into  sin, 
fall  away  from  the  hope  of  the  gospel,  fall  from  the  precious  privileges 
of  Jesus,  and  the  comforting  sense  of  his  love.  Without  this,  what 
is  profession,  but  an  empty  name,  talking  ever  so  highly,  but  a  sound 
of  words,  pretension  to  the  greatest  things,  but  a  vuin  shadow,  w  hile 
the  substance  is  not  enjoyed  I 

It  is  the  glorying  of  believers  in  Jesus  that  they  are  "  delivered 
out  of  the  hands  of  their  enemies,  tliat  tliey  might  serve  God  in 
holiness  and  righteousness  all  the  days  of  their  life,"  Luke  i.  74, 
75,  and  it  is  added,  "  without  fear."  But  are  we  to  cast  off  all 
kind  of  fear  of  God  ?  No  verily  :  no  more  than  faith  in  him,  love  to 
him,  and  hope  of  enjoying  him.  One  would  dread  such  a  state  most 
of  all,  the  Lord  himself  being  judge.  "Know  therefore,  and  see 
that  it  is  an  evil  and  bitter  thing,  that  thou  hast  forsaken  the  Lord 
thy  God,  and  that  my  ftur  is  not  in  thee,  saith  the  Lord  God  of 
Hosts,"  Jer.ii.  19. 

Glory  to  Jesus,  by  his  grace  the  baiids  of  legal  bondage  are  broken 
asunder,  the  cords  of  slavish  fear,  of  wrath  aiid  hell,  we  cast  from 
us  :  yet  faith  and  fear  go  hand  in  hand.  And  this  is  the  blessedness 
of  everlasting  love  and  new  covenant  grace,  "  I,  saith  Jehovah,  will 
put  my  fear  in  their  hearts,  that  they  shall  not  depart  from  me.  So 
shall  they  fear  me  for  ever  for  their  good,"  Jcr.  xxxii.  40.  This 
is  the  precious  fear  the  apostle  exhorts,  to,  which  is  ever  to  be  clur- 
ished  in  the  heart,  and  attended  to  in  one's  daily  walk.  A  fear  of 
departing  from  the  Lord  Jesus  tends  to  keep  the  soul  riose  to  him. 
Fear  of  offending  causes  watchfulness.  Hope  in  a  sin-pardoning  Go<l 
produceth  fear  ;  a  sense  of  ptirdon  increaseth  il.  «  There  is  foigive- 
ness  with  thee;  that  thou  maycst  be  feared,"  Psalm  cxxx.  4.  «'  Happy 
is  the  man  that  fc are th  aiv/ay  :  but  he  that  hardencih  his  heart  shall 
fallSnto  misclvief,"  Prov.  xxviii.  14, 

Forbid  it.  Lord,  that  I  forjjct.  If  I  yitlidr.nw  my  triisi  IVom  thcc, 
Aly  standing  is  l)y  iaith  ,  }  soon  high-minded  grow  ! 

This  ever  humbles  at  t}iy  feet,  .T*»rgct  thy  fear,  grow  \)roud  in  eelf, 
WkW  phnh'd  with  what  thf)ii  ?,Ailh  Soppovo  f  nn<^biiis;kn«>v,         ^         JM* 


APRIL  10.  113 

Remember  the  word  unto  thy  servant^  upon  xvhich  thou 
hast  caused  me  to  hope. — Psalm  cxix.  49. 

It  is^not  natural  to  us  to  hope  in  God's  word.  Tliis  the  power 
of  God  causes  us  to  do.  Where  tiiere  is  true  knowledge  of  Jesus, 
the  essential  word.  tHerc  will  be  a  real  esteem,  for  the  scriptures, 
the  written  word  of  Jehovah.  The  Spirit  that  dwelt  ui  Jesus  dictated 
the  truth  concerning  him  ;  and  the  same  Spirit  testifies  of  Jesus  in 
the  hearts  of  his  children.  By  the  word  we  are  favored  with  clear 
ideas,  just  conceptions,  and  encouraging-  views  of  the  truths  of  grace 
and  salvation  :  hence  we  have  the  firmest  foundation,  the  strongest 
.confidence,  and  fullest  assurance  to  build  our  faith  and  hope  upon: 
hence  also  we  are  emboldened  to  draw  nigh  to  a  throne  of  grace,  to 
plead  our  case,  present  our  distress,  and  claim,  with  hUnible  bold- 
ness, a  supply  of  all  our  need. 

When  there  is  a  death  upon  all  comfortable  sense  and  joyful  feel- 
ings, when  all  things  around  us  wear  a  gloomy  aspect,  when  consci- 
ence within  writers  bitter  things  against  us,  the  law  works  wrath,  and 
its  terrors  make  us  afraid,  and  an  insulting  foe,  to  heighten  distress 
and  increase  our  sorrows,  stands  over  us,  with  "  there,  there,  so 
would  I  have  it,"  in  such  a  season,  O  it  is  life  from  the  dead  to  re- 
member the  infinitely  transcendent  love,  victorious  toils,  triumphant 
conquests  of  Jesus  over  all  things  for  us  !  How  joyiul  to  read  that  all 
the  promises  center  in  him,  and  that  they  are  infallibly  sure  and 
certain  to  all  the  seed — yeu  and  Amen,  to  the  glory  of  God  the  Fa- 
ther !  How  establishing  to  hear  such  gracious  words  from  the  mouth 
of  Jehovah,  "I,  even  I  am  he  that  blotteth  out  thy  trans£2:ressions  for 
mine  own  sake,  and  will  not  remember  thy  sins  I"  Isa.  xliii.  25.  How 
powerfully  alluring,  how  sweetly  attracting  to  the  aflcctions  when 
love  calls,  "  Put  me  in  remembrance  ;"  plead  with  me  ;  thou  shalt 
not  call  in  vain  ;  I  will  hear  ;  I  will  answer  thee  !  Thus  love,  thus 
grace  descends  to  the  heart ;  thus  it  speaks  by  the  word  :  hence  de- 
sires are  kindled  in  the  soul,  blown  into  a  flame,  and  ascend  in  fer- 
vent, earnest  prayer,  and  pleading  to  a  faithful,  promise-fulfillino' 
God.  Surely  we  can  never  enough  prize  God's  Avord,  never  sufii- 
ciently  adore  the  Holy  Spirit  for  the  knowledge  of  Jesus  by  the  word  : 
and  if  the  word  of  the  Lord  is  our  hope,  we  have  eternal  truth,  ever- 
leasting  love,  infinite  power,  and  unchiuigeablc  faithfulness  enga<>ed 
for  us.  "  Every  word  of  God  is  pure  :  he  is  a  shield  uato  theiu  tliat 
put  their  trust  in  him,"  Prov.  xxx.  5. 

While  others  bor.st  of  nature's  fr.unes,  Remember,  Lord,  thy  vord  of  "racff. 

And  ecs»acios  oljoy,  0!i  v,  hicii  my  soul  doih  tnist  : 

M:i>  T  still  hope  in  Goil's  tr)-M  uord.  Fulfil  tliy  promise  freely  made, 

And  thence  my  comforts  dr:r,v.  I  pl<;«d  it— thouavt  ja;.{.  M. 


114  APRIL  11. 

Jesus  said  unto  them^   take  heed  what  ye  hear — Mark 
iv.   2  k 

Iv  is  our  iuispcakal)lc  mercy,  it  calls  for  our  daily  tribute  of  praise, 
and  daily  study  to  improve  it,  that  a  free  use  of  the  lively  oriAcles  of 
truth  is  permitted  us;  others  are  denied  their  rich  privilege.  Happy 
those  to  whom  the  word  of  God  is  the  rule  of  their  faith,  a  light  to 
direct  their  paths,  and  a  standard  whereby  they  try  and  prove  the 
doctrines  tlicy  hear,  whether  they  are  of  God  or  man.  The  ivhole 
truth.)  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  is  precious  to  every  believer.  "  Faith  comes 
by  hearing  the  word  of  God."  As  the  ear  is  the  inlet  to  the  soul,  we 
should  ever  take  heed  what  kind  of  doctrines  we  hear.  It  was  through 
the  ear  sati.n  gained  access  to  the  heart  of  Eve,  and  beguiled  her. 
Paul  alludes  to  this,  2  Cor.  xi.  3,  "  I  fear,  lest  by  any  means,  as  the 
serpent  beguiled  Eve  through  his  subtilty,  so  your  minds  should 
be  corrupted  from  the  simplicity  that  is  in  Christ."  What  is  this 
simplicity  ?  Even  this  plain  simple  truth,  that  salvation  is  wholly  and 
solely  hy  Jesus  Christ,  according  to  the  everlasting  purpose  and  love 
of  God  the  Father,  revetded  in  the  word  of  truth,  and  applied  to  the 
sToul  by  the  Holy  Spirit.  Lost  and  perishing  sinnCrs  are  the  happy 
subjects  of  it.  They  have  no  hand  in  procuring  or  making  it  eheciu- 
al  ;  but  they  arc  wholly  saved  by  election  of  grace  through  faith. 
Wh  -tever  doctrines  are  contrary  to  either  of  these  points,  oppose  re- 
vealed truths,  are  subversive  of  the  plan  of  salvation,  tend  to  rob 
God  of  the  glory  of  his  grace,  and  his  dcrir  children  of  their  comfort 
ai.d  joy  of  faith. 

Therefore,  discipjes  of  the  L'omb,  take  heed  ;  beware  of  what  you 
h^'ar.  These  doctrines  arc  not  merely  spfcislative,  or  nor.-esseniial, 
but  are  the  important,  fundamental,  essential  truths  of  the  gospel.  To 
oppose  the  doctrine  of  election  is  to  deny  the  first  cause  of  salvation, 
the  everlasting  love  of  God  the  Father  ;  it  is  togainsay  the  prophets, 
apostles,  and  even  our  Lord  himself,  Avho  spake  most  clearly  and 
plainly  of  it.  It  is  to  set  one's  self  against  the  testimony  of  the  Spirit 
of  truth.  This  ariseth  from  human  pride,  whic^i  ever  imagines  it  can 
do  something  to  procure  God'slove.  So  of  the  itnputed  ri;^;hteou5ness 
of  Christ,  the  saints  perseverance  in  faith  end  holiness:  if  these  scrip- 
ture-trut!is  ave  maligned  and  opposed,  it  is  from  the  supposed  self- 
hufficiency  and  self-righteousness  of  the  creature, ui  order  to  establish 
its  own  righteousness  and  faithfulness  ;  hence  salvation  becomes  prc- 
rariou^,  justification  impossible.  This  striken  at  the  root  of  true  holi- 
ness, and  tends  both  to  presimiption  and  licentiousness;  for  whatever 
truths  are  revealed  in  the  w oid  by  the  Spirit  of  wisdom  and  truth  (and 
nil  thcsv^  are  as  thougli  wrote  with  a  sun-beam)  it  is  that  they  should 
be  tlie  f  I'd  of  our  faith,  the  matter  of  our  study,  the  cause  of  hun'ili- 
ty,  till.  coifKlcnco  of  h(.>pr,  the  rejoicing  of  love,  and  excitements  to  , 
0^joliness;  'approving  yourselves,  by  the  Mord  of  truth,"  2  Cor.  vi.  7- 


•     APRIL  12.  115 

And  Jos/iiia  said  unto  Achan,  My  son^  give,  I  pray  thee^ 
glory  to  the  Lord  God  of  Israel^  and  make  confession 
unto  him. — John  vii.  19. 
The  Lord  our  God  is  a  jealous  God  ;  jealous  of  his  own  glory 
and  his  people's  good.     Sin  is  contrary  to  both.     God  so  loves  "his 
'people,  that  he  will  not  sufier  sin  to  rtign  in  them.     Wilful,  allowed, 
sin,  however  secret,  he  will  chastise  for,  and  bring  the  soul  to  confess 
and  repent  of.     Though  sin  shall  not  bring  any  one  of  God's  dear 
children  to  hell,  yet  it  may  bring  a  hell  into  the  conscience  for  a  sea- 
son.    Sin  may  break  the  peace  of  mind,  though  iiciainot  break  the 
covenant  of  peace. 

Wilful  transgression  causes  the  Lord  toLide  his  face  or  frown  upon 
his  dear  children.  This  weakens  their  hands,  dejects  their  hearts, 
and  the  enemy  gets  power  against  them.  Ihis  was  the  case  with 
Achan  ;  therefore  the  accursed  thing  must  be  found  out,  confessed, 
and  put  away.  Methinks  Achan's  case  should  remind  the  believer 
of  his  carniU  sinful  nature.  It  is  from  hence  springs  all  his  troubles. 
Indulging  its  sinful  motion  brings  grief  to  the  soul ;  encouraging  an 
opinion  of  its  goodness  and  righteousness,  is  dissembling  with  God  : 
it  is  hiding  somewhat  in  the  "»earlh  in  the  midst  of  the  tent,"  which 
is  admirable  to  him,  and  robs  him  of  his  glory.  The  flesh,  with 
its  lusts  and  corruptions,  though  we  may  think  of  them  as  Achan  did 
of  the  Babylonish  garment,  that  they  are  goodly,  yet  they  are  accurs- 
ed iiy  the  law  of  (iod.  Therefore  we  are,  through  the  Spirit,  "  to 
crucify  the  flesh,  with  the  affections  and  lusts."  Like  the  wedge  of 
gold,  and  the  shekels  of  silver,  all  must  be  given  up  ;  we  must  re- 
tain none  of  its  riches  and  treasures.  How  ofter  h^is  our  flesh  made 
our  hands  hang  down,  our  knees  faint*,  and  our  hearts  troubled  I 

O  christian  !  thou  son  of  the  Most  High,  give  glory  to  the  Lord 
God  of  Israel  ;  hide  nothing  in  thy  earth,  in  thy  vile  miture  from  thy 
Lord  and  Saviour  ;  make  confession  unto  Jesus  of  all  thiit  is  in  thee, 
vile  and  abominable,  wretched  and  hell-deserving  as  thou  art  by  na- 
ture. Give  Jesus  all  the  glory  of  redemption,  justification  and  sal- 
vation. Expect  no  good  from  tlie  flesh,  in  the  pleasures  and  enjoy- 
ment sense  ;  seek  it  all  in  Jesus,  and  from  his  Spirit.  As  Achan 
trubled  Israel,  he  must  therefore  perish  in  the  valley  of  Achor  So, 
christian,  the  flesh  that  troubles  thy  spirit  is  shortly  to  fall  and  die 
under  the  sentence  for  sin.  But,  suith  the  Lord,  <'  I  will  give  the 
valley  of  Arlior  (trouble)  for  a  door  of  hopf,"  Ilosca  ii.  15. 
♦<  Though  the  body  shall  be  sown  in  dishonor  ;  yet  it  shall  he  raised  ia 
glory."  For,  sa'ith  Jesus,  "  I  am  the  resurrection  and  the  life.  He 
who  livcili  and  beliveth  in  me,  shall  never  die,"  John  xi.  25,  2fl. 


116  APRIL  13. 

Therefore  xve  ought  to  give  the  more  earnest  heed  to  the 
things  which  we  have  heard,  lest  at  any  time  we  should 
let  them  slip. — Hcb.  ii.  1. 

The  body  receives  little  nourishment,  if  its  food  hastily  pass 
through  it.  To  health  and  strength  proper  digestion  is  necessary. 
Divine  truths,  carnaly  heard  and  soon  forgot,  do  not  conitort,  nor 
strengthen  the  soul.  When  the  babe  Jesus  way  lying  in  the  manger, 
and  the  shepherds  fiad  told  the  glorious  thmgs  they  had  seen  and 
heard  concerning  him,  many  wo7zf/crr(f.  But  it  was  tlie  happiness 
of  the  virgin  mother,  '<■  she  kept  all  these  things,  and  pondered  them 
in  her  heart,"  Luke  ii.  19.  We  can  never  be  comfortable  in  Jesusj 
but  while  the  truths  concerning  him  dwell  in  our  minds. 

Many  com.plain  of  bad  memories.  They  can  retain  but  little  of 
the  doctrines  of  grace.  True,  Jesus  saves  none  for  the  sake  of  a 
strong  memory  ;  neither  will  his  loving  heart  cast  off  any  because  of 
a  weak  one.  Yet  it  is  our  daily  interest  to  take  the  wholesome  advice 
which  the  Spirit  of  wisdom  dictates.  His  word  is  our  direction  ;  hi.s 
gracious  cautions  are  necessary  to  prevent  evils.  What  h  e  teacheth 
is  profitalile  to  the  soul's  health.  It  behoves  us  to  give  the  most  ear- 
nest deed  to  the  truths  of  Jesus.  They  demand  all  our  attention. 
Pondering  them  in  our  minds,  dwelling  on  them  in  our  hearts  con- 
tinually, tend  (through  gi'ace)  to  keep  us  watchful  against  what 
would  rob  us  of  their  comfort,  and  to  strengthen  our  memories,  to 
vetain  the  sweet  sense  of  them — Hence  a  ho,lyfear>  will  be  excited, 
lest  at  any  time  we  should  let  them  slip,  or  run  out  of  our  minds, 
as  water  does  through  a  leaky  vessel ;  and  so  we  lose  th  e  savour  of 
them  from  our  hearts. 

Sudden  flashes  of  comfort,  hasty  transports  of  joy,  are  dubious  as 
to  their  cause.  It  is  by  the  word  of  truth  we  ^re  to  try  them  ;  and 
it  is  by  that  we  shall  be  able  to  stand.  The  gospel  of  grace  insircs 
with  courage.  Through  the  knowledge  of  Jesus  we  arc  to  conquer. 
That  Spirit,  -which  excites  to  diligence  and  care,  will  establish  in 
the  truth.  Studious  souls,  in  the  school  of  Jesus,  make  the  most 
established  and  lively  disciples.  The  opposition  of  enemies  to  the 
truths  of  electing  love,  Jesus'  righteousness,  the  final  salvation  of 
his  ridecmcd  cV.ildren^  Sec.  shall  due  us  no  harm.  This  shall  be 
over-ruled  by  grace  to  the  rooting  and  establishing  the  faith  of  God's 
children.  The  oak  is  rooted  stronger,  by  the  blast  that  shakes  it.. 
TJic  more  wc  see  of  the  evil  of  sin,  the  pride  and  unbelief  of  our  cor' 
vupt  natures,  and  the  subtle  advices  of  satan,  so  much  the  more  dear 
and  precious  shall  wc  esteem  the  dostrines  of  free-grace,  and  the 
liiiishcd  salvation  of  Jesus.  And  we  shall  piove  ourselves  hi§  true 
disciples,  y  If  wc  hold  fast  the  confidence,  and  the  rejoicing  of  the  - 
hope  firm  unto  the  end,"  I  Kb.  iii.  6. 


,   APRIL  14.  117 

He  ^ave  them  their  request^  but  sent  leanness  into  their 
soul — Psalm  cvi.  15. 

Whev  the  sunshine  of  worldly  ease,  and  a  grculcr  portion  of 
the  o^ood  things  of  this  life  than  he  was  wont  to  enjoy,  fell  to  the  lot 
of  that  champion  of  Jesus  of  blessed  memory,  Luther  ;  it  excited  a 
holy  fear  and  jealousy  in  his  heart,  which  made  him  cry  out,  '  Lord, 
I  will  not  be  put  oft' with  these  things.'  However  pleasant  and  agree- 
able worldly  prosperity  may  be  to  tlic  flesh,  yet  indulging  and  pam- 
pering the  body  begets  and  feeds  many  disorders  and  humors  which 
are  destructive  to  the  health  of  the  soul.  The  body  witiiout  exercise 
naturally  looses  its  strength  imd  vigor.  Afflictions  are  the  exercise 
of  the  soul  ;  though  they  be  dreaded  because  grievous  to  the  flesh, 
yet  are  they  profitable  to  the  spirit ;  or  else  not  one  of  God's  dear 
children  should  know  what  a  single  trouble  is  :  for  they  are  all  tlie 
allotments  of  covenant  love.  In  our  prayers  we  often  imitate  James 
and  John,  "  we  know  not  what  we  ask."  We  ask  amiss,  and  yet  are 
ready  to  complain  that  the  Lord  doth  not  answer  us  according  to  our 
desire  ;  though  the  very  tiling  we  asked  would  have  proved  as  a 
serpent,  to  bite  and  destroy  us. 

O  what  patience  doth  our  G(jd  and  Father  exercise  towards  the 
froward  dispositions  of  his  dear,  but  untoward  children  !  It  would  be 
bad  for  the  best  of  us,  if  we  were  our  own  carvers.  Let  Peter  have 
his  request,  and  Jesus  shall  not  die  ;  then  Peter  and  every  soul  of 
man  must  have  perished.  It  is  our  mercy  that  the  Lord  sometimes 
answers  prayers  with  denials  ;  he  most  blesses  us  by  not  granting 
our  petitions.  Saints  long  and  pray  to  be  entirely  delivered  from  the 
body  of  sin  ;  but  though  the  Lord  doth  not  take  it  away,  yet  he  give© 
what  is  better,  grace  to  subdue  our  corryptions  ;  and  withal  subdues 
pride,  and  keeps  the  sou!  dependent  upon  himself,  which  is  best  of 
all.  Thy  will,  thy  glory  should  ever  set  bounds  to  our  petitions. 
The  health  and  prosperity  of  the  immortal  soul,  is  infinitely  to  be 
pi'cferrcd  to  the  enjoyment  and  happiness  of  the  perishing  body. 
Gay  clothing,  with  empty  pockets,  and  a  lean,  starving  body,  is  a 
distressed  condition  ;  but  how  much  more  deplorable  !  how  awfully 
to  be  dreaded,  the  state  of  many  professors  !  They  have  got  what 
they  eagerly  sought,  and  earnestly  requested  ;  the  riches,  honors,  and 
pleasures  of  this  world  ;  but  alas  !  their  precious  souls  are  in  a  lean, 
starving,  fanishing  condition.  Can  the  comforts  aad  joys  of  a  peri§ht 
ing  world  compensate  the  want  of  a  sense  of  God's  love,  the  reviving 
gr.-cc;  of  our  Lord  Jesus,  and  the  comforting  fellowship  of  the  Holy 
G  host  ?  We  should  be  ever  concerned,  in  all  our  petitions,  to  make 
the  enjovmcnt  of  God  the  chief,  the  ultimate  end,  "Hearken  dili- 
gently unto  nve,  eai.  that  which  is  good./^  and  let  your  soul  delight 
itseir^i  fntness,"  Isa.  It.  2. 

Vol.  L  P 


118  APRIL  15. 

Then  opened  lie  their  luukrstanding,  that  they  might  under- 
sfaiid  the  scriptures- — Luke  xxiv.  45. 

Though  Jesus  had  captivated  the  hearts,  and  drawn  the  affections 
of  his  disciples  to  hiiiiscll",  before  his  sufferings  and  death,  yet  they 
had  very  little  knonkdge  in  the  mysteries  of  his  kingdom,  and  of  the 
mystery  of  iniquity  which  worked  in  them  i  they  weie  but  -wcuk  in 
the  understandhig  of  the  holy  scriptures  ;  hence  arose  their  diflicience 
and  suspicions  concerning  iiim.  He  left  them  scattered  through  ftar 
and  unbelief,  and  he  finds  them  full  of  unreasonable  doubts  and 
troubles  :  for  this  he  reproves  them,  "  O  fools,  and  slow  of  heart  to 
believe  ail  that  the  prophets  have  spoken."  But  amidst  all  their 
weakness  and  ignorance  there  was  a  sweet  and  secret  coiifidence  in 
their  hearts.  Jesus  had  apprehended  them  as  piisoners  of  love,  tind 
they  were  kept  by  an  invisible  power,  that  thty  n  ight  ippitl.uiii  that 
for  which  also  they  were  apprehended  of  Christ.  Though  he  nicde 
the  hearts  of  two  of  his  disciples  ''burn  withhi  them,"  yet  there  was 
more  warmth  than  light ;  a  transient  heat  ol  i.fftctior.s,  but  nx)t  a 
settled  understanding  and  judgment  in  the  script uies.  Thus  it  is 
tvilh  many  of  the  lambs  of  the  flock  now.  '1  lit  y  have  been  taught 
to  call  ''Jesus  Lord  by  the  Holy  Gliost."  1  hey  teel  souic  flashes 
of  comfort,  but  they  are  oftener  exercised  with  doubts  and  tears, 
jealousies  and  surmises  ;  but  as  the  Siiviour  hath  loved  them,  and 
called  tliem  to  himself,  he  will  establish  their  hearts  in  the  Icith.  lie 
not  only  warms  the  affections,  but  opens  the  understanding.  Mai.y 
mistake  here  ;  not  the  fire  of  our  passions  is  to  govern  us,  but  our 
clear  understanding  of  the  scriptures.  By  tlitm  our  hearts  is  strength- 
ened, our  judgment  established,  our  love  increased,  our  hearts  com- 
forted, our  holiness  promoted.  Thus  Jesus  hoi;ored  the  sciipiuits 
of  truth  :  so  he  gave  his  Erst  resurrection-biesshig  to  his  weak,  but 
funcere  disciples. 

"  Jesus  died  for  our  sins,  and  rose  again  according  to  the  scrip- 
tures," 1  Cor.  XV.  3,  4.  His  whole  work  on  earth  was  to  fulfil  the 
scripitnes.  So  he  honored  them  :  and  herein  he  has  left  disciples 
an  example.  Prize  the  word  of  trutli,  study  it  constantly,  pray  over 
it  daily.  By  the  word  of  truth  the  Spirit  teachcth  knowledge.  The 
scriptures  are  the  sword  of  the  Spirit:  Satan  will  fly  before  them, 
because  they  testify  of  Jesus.,  Hci  e.  O  soul,  is  an  evidence  of  a  true 
d;sc>tjle.  Jesus  hath  opened  his  understanding  to  understand  the 
scriptuvea:^Ii..th  the  Lord  thus  blessed  thee  ?  Then  thou  seest  Jesus 
to  bs  the  sum  and  substance  of  the  scriptures,  therefore  thou  wilt 
esteem  them  as  thy  con'panion,  thy^,guide,  and  thy  familiar  friend. 
"  For  whatsioover  things  were  written  aforetin^c,  w ere  written  for  our 
learnin^j  that  we,  through  patience  and  comfort  of  the  scriptures^ 
might  have  hope,"  Rum.  7;y.  4 


APRIL  16.  119 

But  grow  in  grace,  and  in  the  knoivledge  of  our  Lord 
and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ :  to  him  be  glonj  Loth  now 
and  for  >^  ever. .  Amen. — -2  Pet.  iii.  18. 

Christian,  know  ihy  clanger.  Thou  art  ever  liable  to  be  led 
away  by  the  error  of  the  wicked  one,  to  decline  tVoni  the  truths  iuid 
to  full  away  from  thy  stcdfustness  in  the  faith  of  Jesus,  bxhorta- 
tions  Wdrn  of  this  ;  they  tend  to  quicken  stronger  exercises  of  faith 
and  love,  as  a  remedy  against  this;  yea,  through  the  iiiflutnccs  of  the 
Spirit  they  cause  new-born  souls  to  grow  and  increase  with  the  in- 
crease of  Gocl>  just  as  reviving  showers  of  rain  and  Warm  influences 
of  the  sun,  cause  the  fruits  of  the  earth  to  grow.  It  behoves  every 
follower  of  the  Lamb  to  consider  this  ;  to  wrestle  v.ith  the  God  of  all 
grace,  lest  he  grow  faint  in  his  mind,  his  hands  hang  down,  and  his 
knees  beco  nr:  feeble  ;  but  that  he  "  grow  strong  in  the  grace  which 
is  in  Christ  Jesus."  Behold  the  inseparable  connection  between  gri.ce 
and  Jesus,  knowledge  and  growth.  No  growth  in  grace  but  by  the 
knowledge  of  Jesus.  Tue  more  thou  grov.'est  up  in  thy  head^  Christ, 
the  more  tiiou  wilt  grow  out  of  hope  in  thyself,  cut  of  conceit  with 
thyself,  out  of  the  reach  of  the  self-righteously  wicked. 

To  know  and  experience  the  grace  of  God  in  Christ,  is  ttie  special 
mercy  of  poor  sinners.  To  grow  in  the  tuith  of  free-grace  truJia^, 
and  ill  the  knowledge  of  the  love  of  Jesus,  is  our  richest  consolation, 
our  highest  joy.  Hast  thou  experienced  a  little  of  this  special  grace  ? 
H.ist  thou  tasted  th  it  the  Lord  is  gracious  ?  In  this  consists  thy  pre- 
sent blessedness,  peace,  and  joy.  But,  alas  !  what  is  thy  knowledge 
and  experience,  but  like  ii  drop  of  water  to  the  vast  ocean.  Art  tliou 
hungering  after  more  grace,  thirsting  lifter  greater  knov/ledge  of 
J-jsus  ?  Verily,  thou  shalt  be  filled — ^-^ filled  with  all  the  fulness  of 
G  )d."  It  is  the  nature  of  grace,  the  property  of  the  knowledge  of 
Jesus,  to  create  an  insatiable  thirst  in  the  soul  after  deeper  experi- 
ences of  it :  hence  means  of  grace  will  be  diligently  used,  the  scrip- 
tures, which  testify  of  Jesus,  constanrly  searched,  the  gospel  of  gr.icc 
highly  prized,  the  sincere  mnk  of  the  word  desired,  and  the  inlluencei^ 
of  the  SpiriC  implored.  Way  all  this  ?  Th.vt  the  soul  may  grow  in 
the  faith  and  love  of  Jesus ;  that  the  bud  of  grace  may  blossom  and 
bear  ripe  fruit  to  the  glory  of  God.  The  smallest  knowledge  oi" 
Jesus  shall  be  increased  till  the  believing  b.ibc  in  Christ  comes  "in 
the  unity  of  the  faith,  and  in  the  knowledge  of  the  Son  of  God,  tothe 
measure  of  the  stature  of  the  fulness  of  Christ,"  until  faith  is  turned 
into  sight,  hope  swallowed  up  in  fruition,  and  the  love  6f  an  unseen 
Jesus  on  earth  shall  rip^n  unto  the  fullest  enjoymeiit  of  him  iu 
heaven  ;  and  all  this  to  the  glory  of  God  the  Father,  who  li.n  h  'i  l)u^d^ 
us  accepted  in  liis  beloved  Son,"  Eph.  i.  G 


120  APRIL  17. 

Ye  we?'e  as  sheep  going  astray,  hut  are  now  returned  unt9 
the  shepherd  and  bishop  of  your  souls. — -^  Feter.  ii.  25. 

ScuipruRE  allusions  coiuiimally  remind  us,  '' that  salvation  is 
not  of  him  that  willeth,  nor  of  him  that  runneth,  but  of  God  who 
sheweth  mercy  :  therefore,  not  unto  us,  not  to  our  free  will,  but  to 
thy  free  grace,  O  Lord,  be  all  tlie  glory.  Like  that  poor  siily  creat- 
ure, a  sheep  we  naturally  stray  into  all  kind  of  danger,  but  are  unapt 
to  return  of  ourselves.  We  never  should  unless  the  shepherd  sought 
us.  <'  We  have  turned  every  one  to  his  own  Wc-.y,"  have  lost  our- 
selves in  the  wilderness  of  sin,  are  wounded  by  the  wolf  of  prey, 
blinded  by  pride,  self-will,  and  self-righteousness.  We  delight  in 
our  distance  from  the  good  shcphercd.  We  please  ourselves  in  feed- 
ing on  carnal  lusts  and  sensual  vanities,  while  our  poor  souls  are  in  a 
starving,  perishing  condition.  Unparalleled  love  1  the  sheep's  wounds 
are  healed  by  the  shepherd's  stripes  ;  pardon  is  obtained  by  the 
bishop's  sufferings  and  death.  All  this  is  proclaimed  by  the  shep- 
herd's  voice.  But,  "  O  1  what  fools  !  how  slow  of  heart  to  believe 
this  !"  This  keeps  many  poor  sheep  from  returning  to  Jesus  ;  and 
those  that  have  heard  his  voice,  and  are  returned  to  him,  do  not 
keep  so  close  to  him  as  is  their  interest  and  happiness.  The  loving 
shepherd  complains  of  this,  Jer.  ii.  31,  "  Have  1  been  a  barren  wilder- 
ness unto  you,  O  yc  sheep  of  my  pasture  ?"  No,  truly  :  our  souls 
can  never  be  healthy  and  thriving  but  while  our  shepherd  is  in  view, 
and  we  are  feeding  in  the  green  pastures  ofjus  love  by  the  still  waters 
of  his  salvation. 

It  behoves  Christ's  sheep  to  consider  daily  how  dear  they  are  to 
liim  ;  what  sweet  relation  he  stands  in  to  them  ;  what  love  and  care 
he  has  for  them  ;  that  so  Jesus  may  be  more  endeared  to  them,  and 
his  pastoral  instructions,  cautions,  and  directions,  may  influence  their 
walk  and  conversation  ;  for  the  adversary  is  ever  working  upon  our 
treacherous  nature  to  make  us  conceive  of  Jesus  otherwise  than  a 
faithful  shepherd  and  loving  overseer,  that  so,  as  terrified  sheep,  we 
may  fly  from  him,  and  cease  to  love  and  follow  him.  Yea,  to  this 
end  the  father  of  lies  thus  preaches :  '  Though  you  are  returned  to 
your  shepherd,  yet  after  all  he  may  cease  to  care  for  you,  and  let 
you  perish.'  This  is  the  doctrine  of  devils,  let  who  will  preach  it ; 
for  it  gives  the  lie  to  Jesus,  the  truth.,  who  says,  "  I  give  urito  them 
ctcrntil  life  ;  they  shall  ?2r7jrr '//!?««//,  neither  shall  any  pluck  them 
out  »)f  my  hands,"  John  x.  28.  "We  are  not  ignorant  of  satan's  de- 
vices." 2  Cor.  ii.  1 1 — Nor  "  of  the  cunning  crafiiness  of  tliose  who 
lie  in  wait  to  deceive,"  Eph.  iv.  1 4. 
The  Lord  my  bliei)her<l  Is,  Ii"  ^^'cr  T  iro  .astray, 

Isliall  be  well  supplv'd  ;  J le  dotii  rny  soul  reclaim, 

Siiicc  be  ia  mine,  and  1  am  bis,  And  sjiiidcs  me  in  his  own  right  way 

What  can  I  want  beside  ?  .  For  his  most  holy  name 


APRIL   18.  121 

God  u  faithful  by  whom  ye  were  called  unto  the  fellowship 
of  his  Son  Jesus  Christ. — I  Cor.  i.  9. 

While  we  entcrtiiin  a  notion  of  a  God  oiu  of  Christ,  it  uffords 
no  comfort  to  the  mind  to  hear  of  God's  faithluiness.  Nay,  if  we 
•were  not  blind  to  our  stjte,  as  sinntrs,  the  tliouyht  would  fill  us 
with  dread  and  horror.  I'or  how  awful,  how  terrifying  is  tliis  decla- 
ration from  a  faiihful  God  ;  "  I  will  by  no  niCiais  clear  the  guilty," 
Exod.  xxxiv  7.  But  '*  we  know  that  tlic  Lord  our  God,  he  is  God, 
the  fiiithful  God,  who  keepeth  covenant  uiid  mercy  with  them  that 
love  him  and  keep  iiis  comnic.ndments,  to  a  thous^Jid  generations," 
D  ut.  vii.  9.  O  this  is  the  life  of  poor  sinners'  souis  1  this  is  the 
joy  of  their  hearts  !  For  whenever  one  reads  of  the  covenant,  it  re- 
minds of  Jesus  the  surety,  the  mediator,  of  God  in  Christ,-  the  God 
of  lov<\  our  reconciled  God  and  F.ithcr.  We  have  r.o  immediate  ac- 
cess to  the  F.  ther  but  by  his  Son  Jesus  Christ.  When  called  into 
fellowship,  intercourse,  f  unili.vrity,  and  sweet  cor.verse  with  Jesus 
by  faith,  then  we  have  free  access  to  the  F^aher's  throne  of  grace',  and 
his  heart  of  love.  We  glory  in  his  great  aiid  precious  proniiscs,  and 
triumph  in  his  declarations  of  faithfulness  and  truth. 

The  faithfulness  of  God  is  the  foundation  of  all  present  grace  ;  the 
security  of  future  glory.  Many  weak  disciples  are  peipiexed  with 
dark  and  disturbing  thoughts  in  this  matter.  Their  he^^rts  arc  not 
carried  up  to  rest  in  the  love  of  the  Father,  where  all  is  serene  und 
quiet ;  but  they  rest  belew,  in  the  regions  of  doubts  and  fears,  storms 
and  clouds.  Their  souls  may  be  exercised,  and  often  distressed  ; 
but  they  are  safe,  because  called  to  the  knowledge  of  LJth  in  ana  fel- 
lowship with  their  elder  brother,  Jesus.  Ti.is  is  by  the  love  of  the 
Father  through  the  power  of  the  Spirit.  Ai.d  God  is  faidiful  to  iiis 
covenant,  to  his  Son,  to  his  people,  to  his  own  word  to  them,  and 
his  work  in  them.  "  For  whom  he  calls,  them  he  gloiiiies.''  Faith-\ 
ful  to  support  them  under  all  present  dejections  of  mind  and  sinking 
of  spirits  :  faithful  to  preserve  them  in  all  times  of  danger,  and  to 
give  them  living  comforts  in  a  dying  hour. 

Now,  O  believer,  thou  art  calied  to  honor  the  fditlifulness  of  thy 
God,  by  trusting  in  his  word  of  truth  ;  glorying  in  his  promises  of 
grace  at  all  times.  Yea,  at  thy  worst  of  times  and  frames,  even 
when  sense,  reason,  feelings,  and  appearances  are  all  against  tlieo, 
then  the  Lord  is  for  thee.  "  The  Lord  is  faithful,  who  t/uill  st'dbiish 
you,  and  keep  you  from  all  c  vil,"  2  Thcss.  iii  3.  Faithful  '"  to 
confirm  you  unto  the  end,  th.it  you  may  be  blameless  in  the  day  of 
the  Lord  Jesus,"    1  Cor.  i.  8. 

Our  Gfvl,  how  firm  liis  promise  stands.  Then  why  my  soul  these  sr«d  coiQpl:i!nU, 

Ev'n  when  he'hidcs  his  face  ?  Sii>cf  TIk  ist  anr!  m  p  sro  one  ? 

His  (rist's  in  nnr  Hi.dccraer's hands,  Th .  '  ^oi!  is  fiiithfu!  to  his  saiiits, 

His  slory  and  his  grace.  la  fuithful  to  his  Son.                          1^1. 


122  APRIL  19. 

TFhat  shall  wc  say  then  .^     shall  rue  continue  in  sin,  that 
grace  7nay  abound  ? — Rom.  vi.  1. 

Believer  in  Jesus,  what  are  thy  thoughts  ?  Avhut  the  answer 
©r  thine  heart  this  day,  in  regard  to  thy  walk  and  coiiduct  in  life, 
from  the  important  doctrines  of  grace  ?  Canst  thou  say,  the  everlast- 
ing love  of  God  the  Father,  reigning  through  the  righteousness  of 
Jesus  unto  eternal  life,  manifested  in  the  gospel,  and  applied  by  the 
Holy  Spirit  through  faith,  have  the  least  tendency  to  give  reins  to 
thy  lust,  to  open  a  door  of  licentiousness,  and  to  encourage  thee  to 
continue  in  sin  ?  Doth  the  belief  of  the  guilt  of  sin,  being  atoned  by 
the  precious  blood  of  Jesus,  influence  tliee  to  the  love  of  sin  ?  Doth 
the  knoAvledge  of  Christ's  righteousness  imputed  unto  justificatioii  of 
life,  tend  to  make  thee  delight  in  unrighteousness  and  unholiness  of 
life  ?  By  no  means  :  God  foi  bid  !  to  bring  such  an  heinous  charge 
against  divine  truths  ;  O  v.hat  daring  impiety  1  what  horrid  blasphe- 
my !  Beware  of  such  a  thought ;  indulge  it  not  one  moment ;  it 
conies  from  the  adversary  of  all  truth  ;  it  impeaches  the  wisdom  and 
holiness  of  the  Spirit  of  truth  ;  for  he  reveals  these  soul-saving, 
Christ-glorifying,  God-honoring  truths  ;  and  by  his  gracious  gift  of 
faith,  sinners  receive  and  embrace  them.  But  to  what  end  I  Hereby 
they  see  the  display  of  justice;  mercy  triumphing  in  righteousness  ; 
their  sculs  established  in  a  sense  of  peace  and  pardon,  and  most 
powcj-fuily  influenced  to  the  love  of  personal  holiness  and  obedience. 
Sooner  ascribe  midnight  darkness  and  water's  frost  to  the  source  of 
light  and  heat  of  the  sun,  than  once  imagine  the  grace  of  God  leuds 
to  sin.  or  the  cihoundings  of  grace  to  continuance  in  sin.  No  ;  this  is 
throutrh  the  nboundings  of  lust. — ''  When  Inst  hath  conceived,  it 
brings  forth  sin,"  James  i.  15.  But  grace  conceived  in  the  heartj 
brings  forth  holiness. 

«  Do  we  then  make  void  the  law  throxigh  iiiith  ?  God  forbid  :  Yea, 
we  establish  the  law,"  Rom.  iii.-  5 1 .  How  ?  as  a  covenant  of  works 
to  us  ?-  No  ;  that  it  was  our  dear  suvet'y.  '^  Christ  is  the  end  (the 
fulfi!li-r)  of  the  law  for  righteousness  to  every  one  that  belicveih," 
Rom.  X.  4.  We  establish  the  law,  as  a  rule  of  duty  to  ns  ;  though 
not  to  obtain  life,-  but  according  to  which  v/e  oiight  to  walk.  So  we 
follow  our  Lord,  and  arc  -conformed  to  him.  O  may  the  cheering; 
li::>ht  of  truth  be  ever  accoiripanicd  with  the  warm  influences  of  the 
3 un^f  righteousness  upon  the  heart !  "  By  the  n-v.'i  r  mT  TJod  v.c  have 
had  our  conversation  in  the  v.orki,"  2  Cor.  I. 

"  Tlicn  slinll  v.-e  best  protlsim  nlirnail  1  cantiot  Iqvc  and  Uve  in  An, 

'*  The  honoriof  onr  S.vionr  n»ii],  Tltough  sin  in  me  doth  slill  abide  : 

*•  When  Ilia  salvation  rei[;ns  tvithin,  Thongli  ,fcin's  alive,  I'm  tlc-id  Ut  sip, 

"  And  grace  siibduea  the  power  ol'sin."  My  Sannwi-  Vcol^^  from  lust  and  pride.  .M. 


'  APRIL  2Q.  i2S 

God  hath  chosen  us  in  Christy  before  the  foundation  of  tlie 

W07/£/.-;;-Eph.  i.  4. 

So  the  aposlles  wrote  and  picachecl,  to  comfort  and  establish 
their  brethren  in  the  faith  of  Christ,  in  the  love  of  f  jod,  and  in  the 
sanctification  of  the  Spirit  unto  all  true  holiness.  The  election  of 
sinners,  by  God  the  Father  in  Christ  Jesus,  from  all  eternity,  is  the 
foundation  from  which  all  faith  and  hope  spruig.  If  this  ti  utli  is  re- 
jected, the  atonement  of  Jesus  is  made  precarious,  the  work  of  the 
Spirit  uncertain,  salvation  doubtful,  faith  void,  the  piomise  of  none 
effect,  and  the  hope  of  eternal  life  is  made  to  depend  on  the  will  and 
power  of  weak  aiid  vile  sinners,  instead  of  the  gri;cc  and  truth  of  God. 
But  in  every  age,  men  of  corrupt  mhids,  debtiiute  of  the  tiutli,  have 
opposed  God's  sovereign  grace,  everlasting  love,  and  eteniai  purpo- 
ses. God  hath  suffered  it,  "  that  those  who  are  approved  might,  be 
made  manifest,"  1  Cor.  xi.  19.  Humble,  self-emptied  sinners,  who 
art-  poor  in  spirit,  and  lowly  in  their  own  eyes,  pl<Jnly  discern  that 
systems  of  human  pride,  schemes  of  self-confidence,  are  set  up  to 
establish  vain  hopes  and  self-righteous  pleas,  in  opposition  to  the 
truths  of  God  :  «  If  it  were  possible  to  deceive  the  very  elect  of  God,'* 
Matt.  xxiv.  24.  But  his  love  towards  his  children  is  too  great  to 
suffer  it.  And  they  do  well  to  take  heed  to  the  true  light  of  electing 
grace  and  love  ;  which  shines  with  such  glory  in  the  person  of  Jesus, 
to  the  comfort  of  their  souls,  through  the  fLiith  of  him. 

"  Beware  of  men  ;  call  'no  man  Rabbi,''  saith  our  divine  teacher. 
Yet  saith  Paul  to  his  son  Timothy,  "  The  things  which  thou  hast 
heard  of  me,  the  same  commit  thou  to  faithful  men  ;  who  shall  be 
able  to  teach  others  also,"  2  Tim.  ii.  2.  So  a  standing  ministry  bath 
been  esttiblished,  whom  God  hath  sent  forth  in  every  age  boldly  to 
preach  the  God-glorifying,  sovd-humbliiig,  faith-establishing,  sin- 
subduing  truths  of  the  gospel.  Human  compositions,  agreeable  to 
God's  truth,  are  precious  ;  as  they  are  made  establishing  to  the  faitli- 
ful.  Thanks  to  God  for  those  sweet  and  comfortable  words  of  the 
17th  article  of  the  established  church.  Our  pious  rcfonners  say, 
'  The  godly  consideration  of  predestination,  and  our  election  in  Christ, 
is  full  of  sweet,  pleasant,  and  unspeakable  comfort  to  godly  persons, 
and  such  as  feel  in  themselves  the  working  of  the  'Spirit  of  Christ, 
mortifying  the  works  of  the  flesh  and  their  earthly  ir.crohcrs,' and 
drawing  up  their  minds  to  high  and  heavenly  things.  It  doth  greatly 
esiablish  and  confirm  their  faith  of  eternU  salvation,  to  be  enjoyed 
through  Christ.  It  doth  fervently  kindle  their  love  towards  God.* 
Here  are  blessed  scriptural  marks  of  a  true  christian  :  if  thou  findcst 
them  in  thine  own  heart,  give  God  the  gloiy  of  electing  love,  and 
^'  hold  f.ist  this  form  ofsoujnd  -.Tords  in  faith  and  lore,"  S  Tim.  i.  15, 


124  APRIL  21. 

If  any  man  sin,  ive  have  an  advocate  with  the  Father, 
Jesus  Christ  the  righteous — iJoha  ii.  1. 

In  the  ghiss  of  God's  holy  and  righteous  hiw  we  see  what  an 
unholy  and  unrighteous  thing  sin  is  ;  it  is  hateful  in  the  eyes  of  a 
pure  God  ;  it  hath  separated  between  God  and  the  sinner,  and  tends 
to  his  eternal  destruction.  The  gospel  in  no  wise  renders  sin  less 
odious  to  God,  less  heinous  in  his  sight ;  fur  from  it.  Yea,  ruther 
it  paints  sin  in  the  blackest  colours,  and  shews  its  deepest  malignancy, 
by  the  gracious  method  of  its  atonement.  View  the  holy  Lamb  suf- 
fering for  sin  on  the  cross  ;  see  the  streaming  blood,  and  hear  the 
direful  agonies  of  the  Son  of  God  on  account  of  sin  ;  and  say,  O  be- 
liever, is  sin  a  little  matter,  a  trifling  thing  ?  Learn  daily  sin's  evil 
by  its  remedy — sin's  poison  by  its  antidote — the  hell  it  deserved  by 
the  person  who  redeems.  And  ever,  U  my  soul,  hold  fast  this  as  a 
sacred  truth,  though  God  loves  thy  person  in  Christ  Jesus,  yet  he 
hates  thy  sins,  though  reconciled  to  thy  soul  through  the  Son  of  his 
love,  yet  he  never  can  be  reconciled  to  sin,  though  at  peace  Avith  thee 
through  the  blood  of  the  cross,  yet  ever  at  enmity  against  thy  sins. 
Hence  the  beloved  disciple  declares,  "  These  things  write  I  unto 
you,  little  children,  that  ye  sin  not."  Beware  of  sin  as  the  worst 
evil ;  watch  against  sin  as  a  deadly  foe  ;  strive  against  it,  oppose, 
resist  it  in  the  power  of  the  Spirit,  as  your  worst  enemy  :  as  most 
hateful  and  displeasing  to  your  best  friend. 

But  if  any  man  sin,  (for  none  are  perfectly  free  from  sin  in  their 
nature,  nor  wholly  exempt  from  it  in  their  pi-actice),  what  then  ? 
.must  we  lie  down  and  despair  ?  No  :  "  We  have  an  advocate  with 
the  Father  :"  Jesus  Christ  pleads  the  cause  of  sinners,  though  he  is 
not  an  advocate  for  sin  ;  for  he  is  the  righteous.  Therefore  he  doth 
not  deny  the  charge  that  we  are  sinners,  guilty  in  ourselves  ;  he 
extenuates  none  of  our  sins,  but  owns  every  accusation  brought  in- 
to court  agiiinst  us  by  a  perfect  law  and  strict  justice  ;  with  every 
aggravating  circumstance  which  can  be  urged.  Against  all  that  law 
and  justice  can  charge  upon  us,  he  pleads  his  own  undertaking,  his 
work,  his  life  and  death,  his  blood  and  righteousness.  His  people 
have  sinned  ;  his  blood  hath  atoned.  They  have  contracted  guilt ;  he 
hatli  suffered  the  punishment.  They  have  deserved  the  curse  of  the 
law  ;  he  has  borne  it  for  them.  They  have  deserved  hell ;  he  has 
•pcRcd  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  They  are  unrighteous  in  themselves  j 
Jesus  hath  fulfilled  the  law  for  them,  and  clothed  them  with  his  per- 
fect righteousness.  Therefore  he  pleads  tliut  sin  may  not  be  imputed 
to  them  ;  but  that  pardon  of  sin  and  peace  of  conscience  may  be  be- 
stowed upon  them  by  the  word  and  Spirit ;  and  that  they  may  be 
sanctified  in  him,  and  glorified  with  him.  Thus  suith  our  dear  Lord 
to  us,  "'I  will  not  leave  you  comfortless,"  John  xiv.  18, 


•  APRIL  22.  123 

The  soul  of  the  sh^^ard  dcsiretK  and  hath  nothing:  but 
the  soul  of  the  diligent  shall  be  made  fat  — Piov.  xiii.  4. 

I X  the  busy  scenes  of  life,  in  the  awful  moments  of  death,  the 
formal  professor,  as  wdl  as  the  profligate  and  profane,  will  desire 
to  escape  misery  and  woe,  and  enjoy  heaven  and  hc.ppiucss.  But 
alas  !  how  vain  and  fruitless  are  such  desires  I  If  these  muy  be 
called  good  desires,  '  the  way  to  hell  is  paved  with  them,*  saith  an 
ancient  father  of  the  church.  But  in  this,  the  wisdom  of  the  chil- 
'Iren  of  God  is  manifested.  They  arc  diligent  in  the  use  of  such 
^^  ns,  which,  through  the  grace  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  will  be  crowned 
with  a-  ,^gggjj  g^j^  -Yhcy  cannot  rest  in  desiring,  but  in  possessing; 
not  in  wishi.^^  ^^^  enjoying.  They  find  and  feel  their  souls  want 
continual  suppiiw,  ^f  f^od  from  Jesus,  support  from  his  promises, 
nourishment  from  hi=,  w^rd  und  ordinances,  and  life  from  his  Spirit. 
And  as  their  desires  ave  quicK*;iicd,  their  diligence  is  drawn  out  after 
these  things. 

Truth  and  wisdom  declarp,  they  shall  not  barely  be  kept  from 
starving,  just  preserved  alive,  like  Phai-aoh's  lean  kine  ;  but  shall 
be  fed  and  nourished.  Yea,  like  h«;ilthy  sheep  in  rich  pastures, 
they  shall  grow  fat,  "The  soul  of  the  diligent  shall  bd"  made  fat," 
Prov.  xiii.  4.  Here  is  encouragement  foi  thy  diiigence,  here  is 
a  spur  to  thy  activity,  O  disciple.  Here  is  the  promise  of  thy 
Lord.  Where  is  thy  faith  ?  Dost  thou  perceive  thy  soul  decline, 
instead  of  growing  fat  ?  Do  lusts  and  corruptions  gain  ground  ? 
Doth  the  love  of  the  world  get  the  ascendency  of  the  love  of  the 
Father  in  thy  heart  ?  Is  the  edge  of  thy  spiritual  appetite  palled  ? 
and  canst  thou  not  feed  nor  feast  on  the  rich  repast  of  Jesus'  re- 
deeming love  as  heretofore  ?  Wherefere  is  this  ?  Hast  thou  not 
reason  to  charge  thyself  with  sloth  and  indolence  ?  Hast  thou  not 
been  sleeping  on  thy  bed  of  ease,  instead  of  seeking  the  food  of  thy 
soul  ?  Indulging  thy  peribhing  body,  when  thou  mightest  have 
used  means  for  feasting  thy  immortal  spirit  ?  If  so,  the  word  of 
grace,  and  the  testimony  of  thy  conscience,  convict  thee  ;  this  is 
not  right ;  thou  oughtest  to  take  shame  to  thyself;  it  is  thy  duty 
to  humble  tl\yself,  and  to  call  upon  the  Spirit  to  quicken  thee. 
Though  saved  in  the  Lord  Jesus  with  an  everlasting  salvation,  yet 
thou  art  called  "to  give  all  diligence  to  make  thy  calling  and -elec- 
tion sure."  In  this  way  the  Lord  will  nourish  souls  in  love,  and 
make  them  fat  in  the  consolations  of  his  grace.  Consider,  all  are 
busy  and  active  around  thee— satan  to  tempt,  the  world  to  ensnare, 
and  thy  corruptions  within  to  bctmy  the.  Remember  the  eyes  of 
thy  dear  Lord  are  ever  upon  thee  to  see  how  thou  aetcst  thy  part. 
Yea,  more,  "'according  to  his  riches  in  glory,  to  strengthen  thee  with 
might  by  his  Spirit  in  the  innev  man,"  Eph.  iii.  16. 

\oh.  I.  Q 


l^o  APRIL  23. 

IFltJiout  controversy,  great  is  the  mijstery  of  godliness  r 
God  was  manifest  in  the  jlesh,  ^c. —  i  Tim.  iii.  i6. 

The  truths  of  the  gospel  arc  undoubtedly  great  mysteries  to 
«.  aural  reason.     Wc  have  naturally  no  ideas  of  their  existence  ;  but 
henig  plainly  revealed  by  the  Spirit  of  truth,  they  cease  to  be  hid 
irom  our  knowledge.     They  are  no  longer  secret  mysteries,  as  to 
their  matter,  but  plain  and  open  truths  to  faith.     True,  the  vmnnev 
of  their  existence  is  incomprehensible  to  reason.     So  they  will  ever 
ren.ain  mysteries  to  us.     Therefore  the  sons  of  natural  pride  an'' 
human  ignorance   reject  and  disbelieve  them  :  but  the  childre-  °^ 
M'isdom  and  humility  esteem  the  whole  mystery  of  gcdline^^"  ^'^^^X 
bible-truth,  as  precious  objects  of  their  faith.     Blessed  ^*^  ^^^^'  ^^"^ 
comfort  and  salvation  consists  in  believing,  not  in  -^pli^i'^Hg-     The 
fhristian,  like  the  prophet,  being  born  of  tJie  Spirit,  is  a  «  man  of 
strife  and  contention  with  tlie  whole  ca)-''f>/'  J'^'"-  ^^'-  ^^'     ^"^^^  "^  "^- 
ture  and  carnal  reason  are  in  arn\s  agtiinst  the  truths  he  believes. 
Because  he  earnestly  contends  for  them,  Jie  will  ever  find  controversy 
?.nd  perverse  disputings  from  men  of  corrupt  minds,  destitute  of  the 
truth.     His  zeal  here  is  alv/ays  commendable,  only  let  it  be  in  love. 

What  the  Lord  huth  taught  in  his  word,  we  receive  as  the  food  of 
our  souls.  ThJa  is  our  simple  answer  to  the  God  of  this  world,  and 
to  the  wise  <Iisputtr  of  this  age.  Wc  cannot  comin-ehend  how  God 
dwelt  in  flesh,  but  we  are  fully  assured  he  did.  We  have  the  fullest 
proof  of  it  in  his  word  ;  and  his  word  is  truth.  And  it  is  the  very 
life  of  our  souls,  and  the  joy  of  our  hearts,  to  believe  our  God.  Whij 
God  dwelt  in  flesh,  and  the  glorious  ends  he  hath  accomplished  here- 
by, we  know.  Of  this  also,  we  are  perfectly  asbured  ;  we  believe  it 
from  the  same  infallible  testimony.  To  the  faith  of  this,  we  have  tlic 
inward  witness  of  the  Spirit  also.  God,  known  in  the  flesh,  beheld 
in  human  form,  viev.-ed  in  our  nature,  is  the  very  essence  of  our 
faith  ;  we  now  partake  its  blessings  and  experience  its  comforts. 
Hence  springs  the  assured  pardon  of  all  our  sins,  the  acceptance  of 
our  persons,  the  sanctification  of  our  souls,  and  sure  and  certain 
hope  of  eternal  life  and  glory.  All  this  is  l:>y  free  promise,  according 
10  the  purpose  and  decree  of  the  everlasting  covenant  of  grace,  to 
the  glory  of  the  ever-blessed  Trinity,  and  to  the  comfort  and  salvation 
of  lost  sinners.  Thus  saints  arc  called  into  "one  body,  by  one  Spi- 
rit ;  iiavc  one  hope,  one  Lord,  one  faith,  one  baptism,  one  atone- 
ment, one  righteousness,  one  God  and  Father  of  all,  who  is  above 
j!!,  and  through  all,  and  in  them  all,"  Ephes.  iv.  4,  5,  6. 

"^  r,  N-  E ;;  feels  I  am  a  S'.niici-  here  :  V,s  1"  A I  r  n  I  vk-w  i.  o  v  i.'s  m ystny, 

/?EAS0N  tlsis  truth  could  ne'er  explore  ;  fJoD  liv'd  and  tly'd  in  liuraan  flesh, 

That  (;of'  in  flesh  should  cleanse  my  soul  IVTy  hope,  my  heaven,  my  joy  is  this  ; 

3y  i^hi.-»ldii)alt)8»vvBpiu-pIc  j;«:'e.  3>o  stronger  proofs  of  love-I  wish.         M. 


.  APRIL  24.  127 

/■  keep  under  my  lodij  ;  and  bring  it  into  subjection. — 
1  Cor.  ix.  27. 

The  neglect  of  this  brings  on  leanness  of  soul.  li'this  enemy 
gains  ground,  it  is  alarming  ;  if  he  prcvidls,  it  causes  mourning  •, 
but  when  he  is  kept  low,  and  supplies  arc  cut  off,  his  power  is 
-weakened,  and  victory  over  him  is  easily  gained.  Such  arc  the 
sensitive  powers,  carnal  affections,  and  sinful  inclinations  v/hich  com- 
pose part  of  our  present  frame,  the  body  ;  a  body  of  sin  and  deatli. 
To  gratify  and  fulfil  them  is  very  pleasing  and  delightful  to  nature 
and  sense.  But  how  awfully  subversive  of  the  comforts  of  faith,  the 
peace  of  the  mind,  and  the  joy  of  the  soul,  thy  own  Sud  expericr.cc, 
O  disciple,  hath  proved.  Nor  can  it  be  otherwise  ;  let  lis  not  deceive 
ourselves  ;  we  cannot  indulge  and  pamper  the  life  of  the  flesh  but  to 
the  hurt  and  injury  of  the  life  of  the  soul.  There  is  an  irreconcitubk 
enmity  between  Uie  flesh  and  the  spirit,  the  old  man  and  the  ncv,'. 
The  variance  and  strife  Avill  ever  subsist  while  v/c  arc  in  the  bod\-. 
It  is  the  Lord's  sovereign  will  to  leave  the  Canaanites  still  in  the  land, 
and  to  drive  them  out  by  little  and  little.  I  or  '<  behold  a  King  shal! 
reivn  in  righteousness,'^  Isa.  xxxii.  I.  This  is  our  beloved  Jesus 
Here  is  the  exercise  of  faith  in  liim,  the  touch-stone  of  our  love,  and 
the  proof  of  our  allegiance  to  him,  in  striving  daily  for  the  mastery, 
to  conflict  with  and  fight  against  every  inordinate  affection  aiid 
corrupt  lust  of  our  fallen,  sinful  nature,  and  to  keep  them  under,  and 
brhig  them  into  subjection  to  him.  It  is  hard  woik  to  fight  with  au 
enemy  that  is  part  of  one's  self;  but  Jesus'  banner  hath  this  motto, 
"  Deny  thyself,  take  up  thy  cross  dcdly,  and  follow  me."  Though 
the  work  is  ours,  yet  thine,  O  Jesus,  is  the  povvcr. 

Faith  in  Jesus  not  only  accepts  hij  imputed  righteoasness  for 
justification,  Init  has  also  a  liveJy  dependence  on  Christ  for  every 
supply  of  the  Spirit  for  further  sanctification.  It  leaves  not  the  soul 
in  a  lazy  languid  state,  but  causes  it  to  aspire  after  greater  deliglit 
in  and  conformity  to  God;  it  eyes  God  as  its  centre  ;  enjoyment  of 
him  as  its  happiness,  and  full  conibrmity  to  him  as  its  perfc<",tion. 
To  indulge,  pamper,  and  gratify  the  flesh,  is  contJ'ary  hereto ; 
therefore  mortification  and  self-denial,  ami  subjecting  the  flesh  to 
the  spirit,  will  be  the  exercise  of  living,  believing,  loving  souls- 
But  why  all  this  ?  not  from  legal  principles:  not  fiom  slavish  fear 
of  hell  and  damnation ;  not  through  dread  of  being  reprobated  aud 
cast  away  for  ever ;  No :  Paul  had  not  so  learned,  nor  did  Christ 
leach  so.  Believers  act  from  love  to  Jesus,  bdng  assured  of  perfect 
..ulvation  by  him.     "  Eternal  life  is  the  gift  of  God,"  liom.  vi.  23. 

Wfiat  (lifPicnt  Row'rs  of  grace  and  sin  Thus  wiil  the  flcsli  .iiid  spirit  strive, 
Attend  this  mortal  state  !  And  vex  and  hrcjik  my  (jcacci 

S  hate  tlie  tlioughts  that  work  Mithin,  I  loii^c  to  live  a  plorioiis  life, 
And  Uo  tlie  works  Itate,  Whca  «iii  shall  cvi-j-  cuate. 


128  APRIL  25. 

The  Lord  will  not  cast  off  his  people,  neither  will  he  for- 
sake his  inheritance. — Psalm  xciv.  14. 

Theuf.fore,  drooping  soul,  cast  not  off  thy  confidence  in  him. 
A  meteor  will  expire  when  the  earthly  matter  is  spent  that  main- 
tained the  blaze  for  a  time.  Profession  may  carry  to  an  high  eleva- 
tion. Persons  may  appear  as  fixed  stars  in  the  church  of  Christ, 
but  time  may  discover  them  to  be  no  other  than  shining  meteors,  or 
shooting  and  falling  stars.  Yea,  angels  kept  not  their  first  estate . 
But  the  Lord's  chosen  people  is  his  portion.  The  gates  of  hell  shall 
not  prevail  against  the  church  of  Christ.  "  All  those  that  be  planted 
in  the  house  of  the  Lord,  shall  flourish  in  the  courts  of  our  God," 
Psalm  xcii.  13.  Here  is  the  consolation  ol  Christ,  the  comfort  of 
love,  the  fellowship  of  the  Spirit,  «  He  that  believeth  in  Jesus  shall 
be  saved  ;"  not  for  days,  months,  years,  but  saved  with  an  ever- 
lasting salvation.  For  all  such  are  the  objects  of  the  everlasting 
love  of  an  unchangeable  God.  He  never  casts  off  nor  forsakes  them. 
Even  when  in  the  furnace  of  trials  and  i.filictions,  hearthe  declarations 
of  love  concerning  them  :'  "  They  shall  call  on  my  name,  and  I  will 
hear  them.  I  will  say,  it  is  my  people."  Hear  the  claim  of  faith  : 
«  Then  shall  tliey  say,  The  Lord  is  my  God,"  Zech.  xiii.  9. 

David  knew  that  friends  had  cast  him  off :  yea,  father  and  mother 
might  forsake  him ;  his  frames  and  feelings  had  forsaken  him,  his 
joys  had  v.ithcred,  and  his  comforts  seemed  all  blasted  in  an  hour. 
But,  says  he,  age  and  observation  have  fully  confirmed  me  in  this 
truth,  «  I  never  saw  the  righteous  forsaken  of  his  "God  :"  "  Though 
he  fall,  he  shall  not  be  utterly  cast  down,"  Why  so  ?  Truly,  saith 
he,  "  The  Lord  upholdcth  him  with  his  hand,"  Psalm  xxxvii.  24. 
Falls  may  wound  t!ie  soul,  bruise  the  spirit,  cauac  sinkings  of  heart, 
and  dejections  of  mind.  Satan  may  sadly  daub  and  bespatter  tlie 
poor  child  of  God,  and  endeavour  to  persuade  him  that  he  is  in  such 
a  filthy  condition,  that  his  Father  doth  not  know  him,  will  not  own 
him.  The  Lord  help  us  to  fear  such  a  state,  and  to  watch  and  pray 
that  we  may  stand  !  Yet  the  Lord  will  not  cast  away  his  people  whom 
he  did  foreknow,  nor  forsake  his  chosen  inheritaace.  There  is  balm 
in  Gilead.  Jesus  is  the  skilful  physician  ;  lie  will  heal  and  restore 
his  beloved  members  ;  he  knows  them,  he  loves  them,  they  arc  his 
property.  O  how  should  this  endear  Jesus  to  o\ir  souls  1  cause  us 
to  cleave  unto  him  with  full  purpose  of  heart ;  embitter  sin,  and  cause 
us  to  cry  continually,  "  Hold  up  my  goings  in  thy  paths,  tliat  my' 
footsteps  slip  not,"  Psalm  xvii.  o. 

([arise  ? 
Pi-aise  fo  the  goodness  of  tlip  Lord,  Wln^nce  tlien  should  doubts   and   fears 

Who  rules  his  people  by  his  word,  AVhy  tricklinp;  sorrows  drowu  our  eyes  ? 

And.f  hero,  as  strong  as  his  decrees.  Slowly,  alas,  our  mind  receives 

He  sets  hit  tiudest  i)romise3.  The  comforts  that  our  Saviour  gives. 


APRIL  26.  129 

Rejoicing  in  hope  ;  patient  in  tru,i^ifiQn  ;  continuing  in- 
stant in  prat/er — ilnn.  xii.  1-2. 

The   gospel  brings  us  from  a  hftpelcss  in^.^  l^optfvil  slate  ;  but 
not  into  an  independent  one.     We  are  never  to  xptct  ireedom  iVom 
trials  and  tribulutions  in  tliis  vale  of  tears  ;  they  iij-ii^  our  way  to  Uie 
end  of  our  hope,  tiie  enjoyment  of  (lod  in  glory,    --auh  tukes  hold 
of  something   that  is  material,  and  makeih  the  soul  trimiph  in  hope. 
Hope  makes  the  soul  joyful,  and  excites  to  patience.    Tribulations 
cause  a  throne  of  grace  to  be  prized,  a  covenani  God  in  «:iaist  to  be 
sought  unto  and  delighted  in.     In  the  rough  w.ves  of  difluuities,  ill 
4:he  storm  of  affliction,  in  the  boisterous  sea  ot  tcmptcUion,  h^pe  is  an 
anchor  to  the  soul ;  when  that  is  cusi  within  the  veil  the  vessel  shall 
safely  ride  out  every  storm  ;  though  tossed,  it  shall  not-be  wiven 
from  its  moorings  ;  it  keeps  the  soul  Safe  and  steady. 

The  grace  of  patience  is  ranged  between  the  joy  of  hope  and  the 
constant  exercise  of  prayer,  as  though  it  couia  not  exist  without 
either,  but  is  supported  and  strengthened  by  both.  Jonali  sleeps 
sound  in  the  ship,  but  prays  hard  in  the  whale's  belly.  Distress  and 
hope  raise  an  importunate  cry.  A  hopeful  soul  will  be  much  in  pray- 
er ;  and  the  more  in  converse  and  communion  with  God,  the  soul 
will  more  tlirive  in  every  grace  of  the  Spirit.  "  Ask,  and  ye  shall  re- 
ceive," is  the  grand  charter  of  heaven.  Yea  more,  lest  children 
grow  remiss,  be  sparing  in  their  addresses,  and  content  themselves 
with  any  portion,  when  the  exuberance  is  necessary,  saith  our  muni- 
ficent Lord,  «  Ask  and  receive,  that  your  joy  may  be  full,"  John  xv. 
1 1 .  Sip  not  at  the  streams  ;  but  drink  large  draughts  at  the  fountain- 
head. 

Ever  remember,  christian  ;  the  life  of  sense  is  contrary  to  tl^e  life 
of  iliith.  Walking  after  the  flesh,  gratifying  its  lusts,  cor.foinung 
to  a  sinful  world,  deadens  the  life  of  the  soul,  indisposes  it  to  prayer, 
makes  hope  decline,  impatience  prcviiil,  and  all  the  graces  wither. 
And  canst  thou  delight  to  live  at  a  distance  from  thy  Saviour?  What  1 
without  a  sense  of  his  peace  and  love  ?  Wouldst  thou  not  fear  to  die  in 
such  a  frame  ?  "Keep  yourselves  in  the  love  of  God,"  is  an  cvangeh- 
cal  exhortation,  Jude,  vcr.  21  ;  looking  unto  Jesus  under  every  cir- 
cumstance—avoid every  thing  contraiy  to  love— etudy  to  be  dihgent 
in  those  means  which  tend  to  excite  and  strengthen  the  liveliness  of 
faith,  the  comforts  of  love,  the  joy  of  hope,  and  the  p.-.tience  of  the 
soul.     "  If  ye  do  these  things,  ye  shall  never  fall,"  2  Pet.  i.  10.; 

Saints,  at  vour  Father's  heav'iilv  ^vord,  .I"st  In  the  h?t  •-••strefsi"!^  liour, 

Give  up  vour  comforts  to  the  Lord ;  Tl-.c  Lord  .iisilnys  deliv'ring  pow'r  ; 

He  shall  restore  what  you  resign,  The  mouth  of  trials  is  the  i.'rre 

Or  grant  yott  blessings  more  cU>iiie.  Where  we  shall  see  suririsir.g  grr,oe. 


150  AP^'^  ^'^• 

Then  had  the  churches  ""^^  ^"^  ^^^'*^  edified,  and  walking 
in  the  fear  of  the  L^^^  and  in  the  comfort  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  were  iniL^P^^^^^' — x\cts  ix.  31. 
The  form  of  e"^'"^^^^  without  the  power,  is  sufficient  to  make 
men  saints,  goocl''^"'''^'^'"^'^"'  honest  souls  in  the  eyes  of  the  carnal 
^  orld.     I3ut\v)'^"5  t»y  ^^^^  power  of  the  Spirit  our  hearts  possess  the 
faith  of  Jesus,  it  eannot  be  hid,  but  the  life  of  Jesus  also  will  be  man- 
ifested in  oi»"  ^V'llk  and  conversation.     Then  persecution  awaits  us, 
the  world  li^tes  us,  their  foiTner  esteem  for  and  good  opinion  of  us,  is 
changed  iito  hatred  and  opposition.     The  word  of  the  Lord  must  be 
ftillillcd,  "  All  that  will  live  godly  in  Christ  Jesus  shall  suffer  perse- 
cution,"  2  Tim.  iii.  12.     This  is  the  lot  of  every  disciple,  it  is  a 
toucli-stone  of  faith  ;  but  this  is  over-ruled  by  our  master's  wisdom, 
for  his  glory  and  our  spiritual  advantage.     These  have  proved   the 
most  thriving  seasons  to  the  church  of  God,  most  prosperous  to  the 
souls  of  disciples  ;  then  the  love  of  this  world  has  been  most  purged 
from  the  heart,  and  the  closest  fellowship  with  Jesus  enjoyed  :  with- 
out adversity  our  graces  v.ither. 

But  is  the  rage  and  fury  of  opposers  abated  r  Have  we  a  little  more 
rest  and  quiet  from  those,  who,  at  our  first  conversion  to  Jesus,  vexed 
and  oppressed  us  ?  Here  a  godly  jealousy  is  needful,  close  examina- 
tion necessary.  Is  Jesus  still  dear  to  us  ?  Do  v.e  keep  close  to  him 
tis  the  beloved  of  our  souls  ?  Are  the  promises  of  God  still  precious? 
and  do  we  stand  steady  against  the  smiles  of  the  world,  pi  cferrine 
Jesus  to  all  ?  See,  mark  the  blessed  connection  between  edification  of 
the  truth,  walking  in  the  fear  cf  the  Lord,  and  enjoying  the  comforts 
of  the  Holy  Ghost.  So  the  cluirch  of  old  prospered  when  rest  was 
given  them.  These  tilings  are  inseparable.  True  saving  knowledge 
ofJcKUsin  the  heart,  ever  discovers  itself  by  a  holy,  loving,  filial 
fcar  of  the  Lord  in  the  life.  The  more  we  are  edified  in  the  iVdth,  this 
fear  incrcaseth  :  faith  and  fear  are  foimdcd  in  love,  and  wiji  be  ac- 
companied with  the  con>ibrt  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

But  though  the  churches  had  rest  from  persecution,  still  the  mem- 
bers we  re  in  die  b'dy ;  satanAvas.  active  ;  jUlictions  and  temptations 
ceased  not.  In  this;,  nor  tliey  nor  we  sluill  ever  be  exempt  in  this  vale 
cf  tears  :  to  endure  them,  we  are  taught,  is  part  of  our  blessedness, 
James  i.  12.  By  them  jve  learn  many  useful  lessons  of  faiih,  pa, 
tience,  humility,  and  resignation -to. the  will  of  God,  and  are  made  the 
more  t^partake  of  his  holiness  ;  so  tlie  Holy  Ghost  sanctifies  them 
to  our  profit,  and  cuitbies  us  to  glorify  the Lord  our  God,  being 
cheerful  and  cor.fident  in  Jesus'  promise  :  "  Recausc  thou  hr^st  kept 
the  word  of  my  patience,  I  «1 30  will  kctp  thee  from  the  hour  of  tcam)-^ 
lation,"  Rev.  iii.  To. 


,  APRIL  28.  131 

n     ,r)ii  hast  not  called  upon  me,  0  Jacob  :■  hut  thou  haat 
oeen  weary  of  me,   0  Israel. — Isa.  xiiii.  22. 

"  God  hath  not  cast  away  his  people  which  lie  foreknew,"  Rom- 
xi.  2.  Zealous  professors  may  become  shameful  apostates.  God's 
own  children  may  awfully  backslide  from  him,  and  sadly  decline  in 
their  love  to  him  and  service  of  him.  Such  a  conduct  is  most  base  to 
the  best  of  bcintjs,  most  ungrateful  to  the  most  loving  Lord  and  Sav- 
iour, n\ost  wounding  to  sensible,  gracious  hearts  :  but  such  wander- 
ing sheep  shall  hear  the  faithful  shepherd's  voice,  and  shall  return 
with  weeping  and  supplications.  Slighted  mercies,  forfeited  privi- 
leges, neglecting  means  of  grace,  indifl'erence  to  the  cause  of  Jesus, 
and  growing  weary  of  the  Saviour's  Avays  and  service,  bear  sad  wit- 
ness against  the  soul. 

A  little  self-examination  will  discover  tliat  such  an  one  hath  found 
other  lovers  ;  with  them  he  is  delighted,  and  after  tiiem  he  hath  gone. 
If  the  life  of  sense  prevails  against  the  life  of  faith,  the  lusts  of  the 
flesh  are  preferred  to  spiritual  delights  ;  carnal,  worldly  company  is 
more  relished  than  the  communion  of  the  saints  ;  fellowship  with  the 
unfruitful  works  of  darkness  is  more  attented  to,  than  fellowship 
with  Jesus  :  if  the  private  duties  of  the  closet,  the  public  ordinances 
of  God's  house  are  forsaken  :  if  to  all  this  there  is  an  indifi'erence  and 
unconceiMi  of  soul,  can  the  solemn  charge  of  our  Lord  be  heard, 
'f  Thou  hast  been  weary  of  me,"  without  pleading  guilty  ?  Be  aston- 
ished, O  heavens,  at  this  !  Weary  in  serving  the  Lord  may  be  the 
christian's  experience  through  infirmity ;  but  to  be  v/eary  of  the  Lord 
himself,  the  Lord  of  every  perfection,  the  God  of  all  mercies,  the 
Father  of  all  consolation,  the  only  Saviour  of  our  souls,  our  only  hope 
in  time,  our  all  in  eternity  ;  to  be  weary,  of,  to  grow  shy  to  such  a 
being,  O  what  shall  one  say  !  truly,  love  is  patient  and  prayer 
powerful ;  but  for  the  love  of  the  Tather,  and  the  intercession  of 
Jesus,  suchasoul  might,  ere  this,  have  reaped  hisdesert^  in  torments, 
and  been  weary  of  his  punishment  in  hell.  But  O,  after  such  base 
conduct,  hear  the  declarations  of /ofe— ."  I,  even  I  am  he  thatbletteih 
out  thy  transgressions,  for  mine  own  sake,  and  will  not  remember 
thy  sins,"  verse  25.  Therefore  there  is  hope,  grace  reigns,  grace 
abounds,  mercy  is  free,  proclamation  is  made.  "  Return,  (such  a 
temper  must  be  changed,  or  death  cannot  be  hopeful,  nor.  eteriiity 
desirable),  return  to  the  Lord  thu  Gnd,  foi-  ll-.ou  I.ast  fallen  by  thine 
iniquity,"  llosca  xiv,  1. 

\Anicrc  !;!ioulil  my  foolish  p.ission3  rove  ■  Let  inc  be  tastcneil  to  fliy  cross, 
Where  can  sinh  swcctiitss  be  Ratlicr  lliaii  lose  th)  sight. 

As  I  liave  tasted  in  thy  love,  M:ikr.  h:(sto  my  days  to  ivacJi  tlic  gojjl 
As  I  have  found  in  thee  !  And  bring  my  henrl  to  rest 

Wretch  that  I  am,  to  wander  tljiis  On  the  dear  centre  of  ray  soul,       , 
111  thace  of  false  delights '.  My  Goil,  my  SaTiotU''?  breast. 


132  APRIL  29. 

Then  I miv  and  considered  it  well :  /  looked  upon-^         7 
received  instruction. — Prov.  xxiv,  32. 

Obsehvation-  is  the  life  of  understanding.     Experience  is  the 
joy  of  faith.     Learning-  good  from  others'  harms  is  true  wisdom. 
Can  we  look  around  us  among  the  circle  of  our  professing  acquaint- 
ance,  and  not  see  the  awful  effects  of  slothfulness  in  the  ways  of 
God  ?     What  supine  indolence  to  the  cause  of  Jesus,  and  careless 
indifference  as  to  the  health  and  prosperity  of  the  soul,  do  we  behold  ! 
A  very  affecting  description  of  this  the  Spirit  of  wisdom  here  presents' 
to  our  view  :  "  I  went  by  the  field  of  the  slothful,  (the  once  seeming- 
ly growing  and  shining  professor)  and  lo,  it  was  all  grown  over  with 
thorns,  (the  cares  of  this  world,  and  the  deceitfulness  of  riches,  has 
choked  the  word.  Matt.  xiii.  22),  and  nettles  has  covered  the  face 
thereof;''  (the  rank  weeds  of  corrupt  lusts,  sensual   gratifications, 
carnal  pleasures  and  delights  overspread  the  life  and  conduct)  ;  "  the 
btone  wall  of  the  vineyard  is  broken  down;"   (the  soul  lying  open  and 
unfenced  against  the  incursion  of  the  beasts  of  prey,  satan,  the  men 
of  this  world,  carnal  company  ;  senseless  of  its  danger,  and  slothful 
to  all  means  of  deliverance,  the  poor  soul  composes  itself  with)  "yet 
a  little  sleep,  a  little  slumber,  a  little  foldhig  of  the  hands  to  sleep." 
Is  not  this  a  striking,  though  awiul  likeness?  Do  we  not  almost  daily 
behold  its  original  ?    How  melancholy  the  siglit !  how  alarming  the 
conduct  I  how  dreadful  the  sentence  !  "  So   shall  thy  poverty  come 
as  one  that  travelleth  (with  speed)  ;  and  thy  wr.nt  as  an  anned  man," 
(being  without  power  thou  canst  not  withstand  it).     See  this,  O  soul '. 
.  remember  thy  calling  is  to  diligence.     "  Consider  it  well,"  (what  sad 
effects  spiritual   sloth  produce  !)  "  Look  upon  it,  (as  a  frame  and 
temper  of  soul  to  be  constantly  dreaded,  and  earnestly  prayed  against); 
receive  instruction  :"  "  For  whatsoever   things  were  written  afore- 
time, were  written  for  our  learning."     To  wTiat  end  ?  To  shew  what 
has  hapi>cncd  to  others,  "  are  ensamples  to  us,  and  for  our  admoni- 
tion ;  upon,  whom  thaends  of  the  world  are  come.     Wherefore,  let 
him  that  ttinkethhe  standeth,  take  heed  lest  he  fall,"  1  Cor.  x.  1!, 
1 2.     T])e  apostle  speaks  of  "  things  that  accompany  salvation,"  Heb. 
vi.  9.     Diligence  in  the  ways  of  God  is  one  of  these  things  ;  without 
liiis  we  cannot  enjoy  the  full  assurance  of  hoiie,  that  we  are  <' follow- 
ers of  them  v.'ho,  through  faith  and  patience,  do  now  inJicrit  the 
pro«u!;cs." 

[eyes. 

I  love  the  volumes  of  thy  word  ;  Thy  threat nings  v»ake  \\\y  slumb'ring 

"W'liat  light  and  joy  these  leaves-afford  And  warn  me  where  my  danger  lies  : 

To  souls  benighted  and  disti-est !  "Rut  'tis  thy  blessed  gospel,  Lord, 

Thy  precepts  guide  my  doubtful  way,  That  makes  my  guilty  conscience  clean. 

Tliy  fear  forbids  iny  feet  to  stray.  Converts  my  soul,  subdues  my  sin, 

'iliy  promise  leads  my  heart  to  rest.  ^     A  ud  gives  a  freo  but  large  reward. 


APRIL  30.  133 

Behold,  Isee  the  heavens  opened  and  the  Son  of  man  stand' 
ing  071  the  right  hand  of  God. — Acts  vii.  56. 

'  Sufficient  to  iho  day  is  the  evil  thereof.'  As  the  triul  and 
exercise  of  our  day  is,  so,shall  our  strength  be.  Suiiiti.  shall  have 
suffering  grace  for  suffering  times.  Hours  of  great  outward  cahoiiitics 
often  prove  seasons  of  the  greatest  abounduigs  ol  inward  consolation. 
It  is  said  ,  «  Stephen  fell  asleep."  What !  fall  asleep  under  a  shower 
of  stones  ?  Yes  :  the  sweetest  sleep  he  ever  experienced.  It  was 
preceded  by  a  supernatural  sight  of  glory  ;  he  awoke  in  the  full 
enjoyment  of  glory  ;  he  suffered  first  for  Jesus,  he  is  the  first  who  is 
favored  with  a  view  of  the  glorirfied  Jesus  in  his  kingdom.  How  faith- 
ful is  the  Lord  we  serve  !  how  great  are  his  compassions  !  how  re- 
viving to  the  soul  is  the  spiritual  sight  of  him  1  Whether  patri;;rchs, 
prophets,  apostles,  martyrs,  and  confessors,  as  believers  in  all  ages, 
the  same  Lord  vas  the  object  of  their  faith  ;  they  were  comforted  by 
the  same  Spirit,  whose  blessed  office  is  to  glorify  Jesus  in  tlie  views 
of  believing  souls.  True,  »' no  man  shall  see  me  and  live,  saith  the 
Lord,"  Exod.  xxxiii.  20.  Even  high  favored  Stephen  saw  not  the 
essential  glory  of  Jehovah  but  through  the  medium  of  the  man  Jesus- 
Whether  with  his  bodily  sight,  or.  in  the  full  visions  of  faith  and  the 
Holy  Ghost,  he  saw  the  glo^y  of  God  in  the  person  of  the  glorified, 
exalted  Son  of  man,  Jesus,  this  discovery  fired  his  soul  with  heavenly 
joy,  and  inflamed  his  heart  with  holy  transport. 

Faith's  views  of  Jesus  have  a  transforming  influence  upon  the  soul. 
Wliile  he  is  beheld,  love  is  comnmnicated.  Ascending  hearts  to  Jesus 
are  favoured  with  descending  love  from  Jesus.  Love,  received  in  the 
heart,  cheerfully  diffuseth  its  sweet  savour  around  us;  it  enlarges  the 
bowels  of  compassion,  and  openi  fne  mouth  in  prayer  even  for  its 
worst  enemies.  Thus  Stephen  prays  for  his  very  murderers.  When 
for  himself  he  stands  ;  when  for  them  he  kneeled  down,  as  though 
more  importunate  for  them  than  for  himself.  Wliat  hath  Jesus  done 
for  sinners  !  \Vhat  doth  he  in  them!  How  precious  is  he  to  those  who 
believe  I  Kow  should  our  hearts  long  for  clearer  views  of  him  by  the 
Spirit  1  As  in  his  love,  so  in  his  person  he  is  wonderful  ;  he  is  ever 
the  same,  a  Jnan  ;  he  appears  in  his  human  form  beiore  the  throne, 
interceding  for  sinners.  The  same  suffering,  crucified  man,  who 
loved  our  persons  and  bore  our  sins,  still  lives  and  pleads  our  cause 
as  our  triumphant  conqueror  in  our  nature  over  all  our  enemies. 
Thus  daily  conceive  of,  look  to,  and  embrace  in  the  arms  of  faith,  thy 
Lord  and  thy  God,  O  soul,  as  man  and  mediator,  as  having  once 
atoned  and  is  now  interceding  for  thee  ;  so  mayest  thou  ever  com- 
fortably say,  "  Into  thine  hand  I  conmiit  my  spirit ;  thou  hast  re» 
deemed  me,  OLord  God  of  truth,"  Psalm  xxxi.  5. 

Vol.  I.  R 


134  MAY  1. 

Doth  the  ploughman  plow  all  day  to  sow  7  doth  he  open^ 
and  break  the  clods  of  his  ground? — l^a,  xxviii.  24. 

"  The  Lord  of  hosts  hath  decreed  to  stain  the  pride  of  all  glory, 
and  to  biing  into  contempt  all  the  honorable  of  the  earth,"  Isa, 
xxiii.  9.  Therefore  his  word  sends  us  to  the  con  men  transactions  in 
life,  that  ue  may  gather  instruction  in  humility,  and  be  taught  to  bow 
to  his  sovereignty.  Every  dispute  against  the  latter  is  a  strong  evi- 
dence of  the  want  of  the  former.  When  the  mouth  is  not  stopped,  but 
daringly  opened  agtdnst  sovereign  purposes  and  eternal  decrees,  it  is 
an  .  wful  sign  that  the  plough  of  God's  law  hath  not  cut  deep  into 
surh  sinners'  hearts:  for,  instead  of  pleading  guilty  and  being  speech- 
less, the  pride  of  nature  urges  vain  pleas  against  free -grace  truth, 
everlasting  love,  the  finished  salvation  of  Jesus,  and  the  certtdn 
glory  of  all  his  chosen  members. 

But  verily,  as  the  ploughman  plows  at  a  proper  season,  and  sows  his 
seed  at  the  appointed  time,  and  as  harvest  shall  not  fidl,  so  the  church 
of  Christ  is  "  God's  husbandry,"  1  Cor.  iii.  9.  By  the  ministry  of 
the  word  the  Lord  plows  up  the  uncultivated  ground  of  unfruitful 
hearts,  he  opens  and  breaks  the  clods  of  pride  and  lust,  he  casts  in  the 
seed  of  eternal  life  in  the  knowledge  of  Jesus,  then  the  graces  of  faith, 
hope,  love,  and  holiness,  take  root  downward  and  spring  forth  upward. 
But  alas  I  the  seed  is  exposed  to  many  dangers  ;  weeds  may  grow 
up  and  choke  it ;  if  refreshing  showers,  the  warm  sun,  or  the  purify- 
ing air  is  withheld,  it  will  rot,  find  bring  forth  no  fruit  imto  perfection. 
The  poor  heart  is  not  without  its  fears,  yea  is  at  its  wit's  end  at  times, 
lest  so  it  should  he.  And  what  can  he  do  ?  He  cannot  command  the 
clouds,  call  forth  the  sun,  or  cause  the  wind  to  blow.  Boasting  in 
self  is  at  an  end  ;  trusting  to  inherent  grace  is  cut  oil";  hence  the  soul 
is  led  in  humility  to  see  that  all  things  are  of  God  ;  that  if  ever  he 
reaps  the  harvest  of  eternal  life,  it  is  wholly  and  solely  owing  to 
God's  free  gift  by  Jesus;  that  all  present  fruitfulness  is  by  the  Spirit's 
energy  and  influence,  in  consequence  of  the  Father's  love  and  taith- 
lulncss,  and  the  Son's  perfect  work  and  salvation  ;  therefore  look 
not  so  much  within,  nor  around  thee,  as,  above  to  Jesus.  Doubt- 
ing disciple,  from  this  inexhaustible  fountcdn  hope  and  encourage- 
ment flov/.  Though  all  within  looks  gloomy  and  distressing,  all 
without  opposing  and  discouraging,  yet  our  God  is  over  all  and 
abQvc  ail.  Ever  remember  there  is  as  great  a  necessity  for  the 
heart  to  be  deeply  rooted  in  humility  downwards,  as  for  the  pleasing 
fruits  of  peace  and  joy  to  spring  upward.  Our  heavenly  husband 
knows  which  is  best  for  us.  As  the  ploughman  minds  his  work,  and 
does  his  duty  ;  so  do  thou.  Bt;  diHgent  in  thy  work  ;  be  humble  ii 
Uiy  heart,  knowing^*'  Godgiveth  the  increase,"  1  Cor.  iii.  7/ 


MAY  2.  135 

That  every  mouth  may  he  stopped,  and  all  the  world  may 
become  guilty  before  God. — Rom.  iii.  19. 

In  our  Natural  state  we  are  ever  most  backward  to  take  guilt  to 
©ursclves,  most  skilful  at  self-excuses,  most  averse  to  stlf-exuiiiina- 
tion,  because  we  dread  sclf-condemuation  ;  hence  we  are  ever  prone 
to  pass  judgment  at  the  bar  of  pride  and  carnal  reason  upon  the 
truths  of  God,  because  we  think  they  are  against  us.  O  what  is 
there  in  such  stout-hearted  rebels,  who  are  far  fiom  rightecusiitss, 
to  invite  down  the  blessed  Spirit  to  enlighten  our  minds  !  It  is  by  his 
special  mercy  we  see  the  spirituality  and  extent  of  God's  holy  law  ; 
though  in  it  we  see  nothing  but  justice  with  a  drawn  sword,  and 
mercy  with  a  veiled  face,  yet  it  cuts  off  all  glorying  in  the  flesh, 
stops  the  mouth  of  pride  and  arrogiaice,  and  leaves  the  poor  sinner 
under  a  sense  of , guilt,  and  subjects  him  to  the  judgment  of  God. 
To  such,  the  sound  of  mercy  how  welcome  !  the  proclamation  of 
grace  how  joyful !  the  name  of  Jesus  how  precious  !  the  way  of  sal- 
vation by  him  how  acceptable  !  How  willingly  do  such  desire  tobe 
eternally  indebted  to  free  grace !  How  dead  do  such  become  to  former 
legal  hopes  !  Expectation  from  tlieir  fulfilling  terms  and  conditions 
is  cut  off;  grace  freely  given,  mercy  richly  bestowed  through  Jesus, 
becomes  the  subject  of  all  their  Itope,  the  matter  of  all  their  glory- 
ing. Now  it  is  not,  What  have  I  done  ?  How  have  I  behaved  I  but, 
What  hath  Jesus  done?  What  a  glorious  salvation  hath  he  wrought! 
<  I  am  a  poor  sinner,  stript  of  all,  now  bow  to  the  sovereignty  of  God, 
adore  his  electing  love,  admire  God's  salvation,  sit  humbly  at  the  feet 
of  Jesus,  dwell  on  the  wonders  of  his  love  and  sufferings  on  Calvary's 
mount,  thankfully  receive  the  testimony  of  Jesus  from  the  Spirit, 
and  give  the  ever-gracious  three  all  the  glory  of  what  I  am  hi  time, 
and  of  what  I  hope  to  be  in  eternity.  'When  the  soul  is  become 
guilty  in  its  own  sight,  the  mouth  is  thus  stopped  :  every  self-right- 
eous plea  is  silenced.  When  the  sinner  thus  sees  himself,  he  is 
quite  out  of  conceit  with  himself. 

Thus  the  law  is  good  if  a  man  use  it  lawfully  ;  but  if  the  Lamb's 
wife  seek  to  the  law,  as  a  woman  to  her  husband,  to  get  comfort  from 
it,  and  life  by  obedience  to  it,  vet"ily  this  is  not  continuing  a  chaste 
virgin  to  Jesus.  We  shall  then  cease  to  Ijring  forth  fruit  unto  God  ; 
but  we  shall  be,  as  God  complains  of  Israel  of  old,  "  an  empty  vine, 
who  bringeth  forth  fruit  unto  himself,"  Hosea  x.  1.  We  shall 
grow  delighted  with  ourselves,  and  imagine  we  have  that  within  us 
to  talk  of  and  glory  in,  instead  of  the  work  of  Jesus,  for  us.  But 
thus  saith  the  Lord,  "  Thou  shalt  remember  and  be  confounded,  and 
never  open  thy  mouth  any  more,  because  of  thy  shame,  when  I  am 
pacified  towards  thee,  for  all  that  thou  hast  done,"  Ezik.  xvi.  6.1. 


136  MAY  3. 

Jesus  said.  This  sickness  is  ?2ot  unto  death,  but  for  the 
glory  of  God,  that  the  Son  of  God  might  be  glorified 
thereby  — John  xi.  4. 

tx  frequently  happens,  that  intervening  occurrences  seem  to 
contradict  the  truths  of  God.  Therefore  if  wc  judge  from  sight  and 
appearance,  we  shall  be  often  deceived.  God's  word  alone  is  the 
rule  of  faith ;  what  he  has  declared  shall  certainly  come  to  pass, 
however  repugnant  it  may  seem  to  carnal  reason.  Thus  our  Saviour 
declares  of  Lazarus,  "  This  sickness  is  not  unto  death :''  yet  he 
afterwards  told  his  disciples  plainly,  "  Lazarus  is  dead  :"  and  Jesus 
found  him  in  the  grave,  where  he  had  lain  four  days.  But  Jesus, 
wiio  had  power  over  death  and  the  grave,  knew  his  own  intention  of 
raising  him,  both  for  the  glory  of  the  Father,  as  well  as  glorifying 
himself.  This  was  the  great  end  of  his  coming  into  the  world ; 
therefore  in  the  life,  and  by  the  deatli  of  Jesus,  glory  redounds  "  to 
God  in  the  highest,  peace  on  earth,  and  good-will  to  men.'' 

Did  Jesus  love  Lazarus  ?  Did  his  compassionate  eye  drop  a  tear 
of  affection  over  his  friend's  grave  ?  O  what  an  innumerable  company 
of  poor  sinners  did  his  loving  eyes  behold,  who,  like  Lazarus,  were 
not  only  to  all  appearances  past  hope,  but  actually  "  dead  in  tres- 
passes and  sins  1  but  he  says  of  them  also,  "  This  sickness  is  not  unto 
death."  Eternal  death  shall  not  have  the  dominion  over  them  ;  but 
he  would  get  glory  to  God,  and  glorify  himself  in  quickening  and 
raising  all  God's  chosen  ones,  all  his  dearly  beloved  members. 

On  the  death  of  Lazarus  "  Jtisus  wept:  he  groaned  within  himself;" 
and  he  cried  to  his  Father.  How  must  the  heart  of  Lazarus  be  inflam- 
ed with  love  to  his  dear  Lord  for  giving  him  a  second  life  1  O  believer! 
the  raising  thy  soul  from  a  death  of  sin  to  a  life  of  righteousness,  cost 
thy  Saviour  not  only  a  sigh,  a  tear,  a  groan,  a  piayer ;  but  agonies, 
sweats  of  blood,  tortures  beyond  thought,  sufferings  beyond  expres- 
sion. His  immaculate  heart's  blood  he  freely  poured  forth  for  our 
sins,  to  procure  tlie  life,  and  to  obtain  the  salvation  of  our  souls.  Canst 
thou  think  of  this  love  without  reflecting  on  thy  misery  ?  O  hard 
heart!  O  cruel  unbelief:  How  little  affected  with  such  love  as  none  but 
God  could  show  !  Is  this  thy  pain  and  sickness?  Come,  then,  that  the 
Son  of  God  may  be  yet  more  glorified  in  thee,  bring  thy  hard  heart  to 
the  feet  of  Jesus,  and  confess  thy  unbelief  to  him  with  this  humble 
cry,  "  Lord,  I  believe,  help  thou  mine  unbelief,"  Mark  ix.  24. 

Come,  happy  souls,  approru-.h  30ur  Coil  So  stranKo,  so  boiimlloss  was  the  love 

Witli  new  melodious  soii_!^s  ;  That  pityM  <lyiiij^  men. 

Come,  tcniltM-  to  alini<;hU  Si'-icfi  Tlie  Father  sent  his  equal  Son 

The  tribute  of  your  tongues.  ~  To  give  them  life  Hgain 


MAY  4.  137 

Seekest  thou  great  things  for  thyself?  .Seek  them  not. — 
Jer.  xlv.  5. 

The  glorious  company  of  the  apostles,  the  goodly  fellowship  of 
the  prophets,  the  noble  army  of  martyrs,  every  member  of  the  church 
of  Christ  in  every  age,  were  called  to  deny  and  morlify  self  In  this 
there  is  no  difference  :  all  are  equally  clothed  with  the  sume  corrupt 
nature,  are  men  of  like  passions,  uiid  i.re  therefore  in  danger  of  self- 
seeking,  and  of  having  their  i;ffections  attracted  from  Jesus,  to  the 
alluring  objects  of  this  present  evil  world.  The  scripture  hus  re- 
corded a  very  short  chupter  of  the  piophit  Buiuch's  conduct.  On 
reading  this  we  may  truly  look  within,  aiound  us,  and  then  look  up 
and  cry,  "  Lord,  what  is  man  ?"  and  with  astonishment  may  udd, 
«  that  thou  art  mindful  of  him." 

Yea,  what  is  every  Bai  uch  (i.  e.  blessed  man)  who  bends  the  knee 
to  Jesus,  and  is  renewed  in  the  spirit  of  his  mind  ?  Aks  1  he  is  still  of 
the  earth,  earthly,  prone  to  cleave  to  the  dust,  »eady  to  seek  great 
tilings  for  himself,  from  the  objects  of  time  and  sense.  One  would 
have  thought,  just  at  a  time  when  tlie  prophet  had  been  reading  the 
dreadful  roll,  full  of  mourning,  lamentation  arid  woe.  which  were 
shortly  to  come  upon  the  kingdom,  this  would  have  entirtiy  tubed 
every  carnal  desire  after  selfish  views  and  earthly  glory.  But  \\o;  the 
lusts  of  the  flesh  can  only  be  mortified  by  the  powtr  of  the  Spirit. 
Jeremiah  is  sent  with  a  loving  warning  and  tender  piohibitiori  to 
Baruch  :  '  Is  this  a  time  for  self-seeking,  instead  of  thy  master's 
glory  ?  What !  aspire  after  worldly  honor  and  dignity  in  a  time  of 
tlireatened  ruin  ;  be  wise  ;  know  thy  station  ;  act  in  character.' 

Here,  O  Christian,  see  the  picture  of  thy  own  corrupt  nature. 
Know  thyself;  consider,  thou  also  art  in  the  body  :  remember,  "  in 
tliy  flesh  dwclleth  no  good  thing."  Though  under  threatciicd  ruin 
and  destruction,  yet  it  will  lust  after  such  things  which  are  agreeable 
to  its  carnal  state.  Never  say  with  Huzael,  "  Am  I  a  dog  that  I 
should  act  thus  and  tlius  ?"  Beware  of  the  deceitful  reasoriings  of  the 
flesh.  It  has  ever  plausible  pleas  to  urge  for  its  gratifications.  Self- 
seeking  is  one  of  the  lusts  of  the  flesh.  All  views  that  arise  from 
self,  centre  in  self,  and  tend  to  please  self,  are  contrary  to  fellowship 
in  Jesus.  If  self  is  indulged,  it  will  piove  like  a  pampered  steed,  to 
run  away  with  thy  spirit  from  thy  beloved.  Therefore  he  asketh, 
"  Seekcst  thou  great  things  for  thyself?"  he  forbids  ;  "  Seek  them 
not."  What  will  it  profit  thee  if  thou  couldst  gain  the  whole  world 
and  lose  sweet  peace  with  God,  comfortable  communion  v  ith  Jtsus, 
and  the  joyful  fellowship  of  the  Holy  Ghost  ?  "  Ye  cannot  serve 
God  and  Mammon,"  Matt.  vi.  24. 


138  MAY  5. 

JuCt  not  your  hearts  he  troubled;  ye  believe  in  God,  believe 
also  171  me. — John  xiv.  1. 

Jesus  comforted  the  heart  of  a  sorrowful  widow  by  restoring  her 
dead  son  to  life  again.  Could  he  not  also,  by  the  power  of  his  Spirit, 
consolate  the  heart  of  his  dear  disciples,  without  preaching  outward 
rules  and  directions  to  them?  Plainly  he  will  be  heard  as  our  prophet. 
Those  disciples  only,  who  obey  the  word  of  his  doctrine,  shall  enjoy 
the  consolation  of  his  love.  So  it  seemcth  good  to  our  Lord  to  teach; 
so  it  is  necessary  for  us  to  believe.  Troubles  are  the  common  lot  of 
God's  dearest  children  ;  "  Many  are  the  afflictions  of  the  righteous," 
Psalm  xxxiv.  19.  They  feel  and  groau  under  heart  troubles,  which 
strangers  know  not  of;  inward  disquietudes,  which  carnal  men  are 
utterly  free  from,  are  oft  amazed  to  hear  of;  and  are  ready  to  hug 
themselves,  and  thank  God  they  are  not  troubled  about. 

Ah,  this  inward  insensibility  is  a  bad  sign  !  But  disciples'  troubles 
are  Jesus'  concerns.  He  has  a  remedy  against  them  :  he  will  give 
comfort  under  them.  Believing  in  an  absolute  God  will  not  do  ihis. 
Nay,  the  glory  of  his  majesty,  the  greatness  of  his  power,  the  peiiec- 
tion  of  his  justice.  Sec.  appear  iu  dread  array  against  us.  We  dare 
not  think  of  God  out  of  Christ,  knowing  ourselves  to  be  poor  sinners, 
therefore,  says  Jesus,  "  Believe  also  in  me."  Believe  my  humanity  : 
that  I  became  man  for  your  sake,  died  for  your  salvation,  and  am 
risen  again  in  your  nature  to  pray  for  you.  Remember  the  covenant 
that  is  established  between  the  Father  and  me  on  your  account. 
When  thoughts  arise  in  your  minds,  andyour  poor  hearts  are  troubled 
with  finding  you  are  still  but  "  unprofitable  servants,"  you  see  much 
cause  for  sorrow,  mourn  and  complain  that  there  are  many  things 
amiss  in  you;  that  you  do  not  believe  so  perfectly,  love  so  comfort- 
alily,  obey  so  cheerfully  as  you  wislv;  yet  ever  remember,  I  am  your 
INIcdiator  before  the  throne  :  you  stand  not  in  the  Father's  love  for 
your  works'  sake  ;  but  the  Father  is  ever  well  pleased  with  me.  He 
loves  you  and  is  well  pleased  with  you  for  ,my  sake.  Do  not  distress 
your  ixjor  hearts  Sorrow  not  as  v/ithout  hope  ;  but  believe  in  me  and 
be  comforted.  You  have  no  sin,  but  my  blood  dearly  atoned  for  ;  you 
want  no  perfection,  but  what  my  righteousness  ;supplics  ;  you  stand 
in  need  of  no  holiness  and  conformity  to  me,  but  wh.it  the  blessed 
Spirit  l)estows.  Tims  believe  onmc  as  your  living  head,  thus  daily 
look  on  yourselves  as  my  dear  .members,  thus  live,  on  me  and  lionor 
me  as"  your  Lord,  and  glorify  me  as  your  only  Saviour.  This  is  to 
obey  Christ's  command.  Thus  is  the  troubled  heart  comforted. 
This  is  our  sweetest  privilege.  We  should  be  concerned  to  make 
th'S  our  daily  emi)1oy  on  earth.  Shortly  ull  our  troubles  and  sorrows 
shi'll  end,  for,  "  we  shall  meet  the  Lord  in  the  air,  and  so  shall  we  be 
ever  witb  the  Lord  :  wherefore  comfort  one  aiiolhcr  with  these 
■\\cvds,"  1  Thcss.  iv.  17,   18. 


MAY  6.  139 

That  by  fxvo  imnmtahle  things,  in  which  it  was  impossible 
for.  iiod  to  lie,  we  might  have  a  strong  consolation,  who 
have  Jled  for  refuge,  to  lay  hold  upon  the  hope  set  before 
us.—B.^h.  vi.  1>8. 
It  is  the  glory  of  tlic  gospel  ihut  it  reveals  glad  tidings  to  hope- 
less, helpless  sinners.     It  finds  nothing  in  us  to  entitle  us  to  tlic  fuvor 
of  God  :  but  it  brings  all  hope  and  consolation  to  the  soul,  founded 
upon  the  most  absolute  promises,  and  the  strongest  assurance  of  an 
immutable  God.     As  verily  as  it  is  impossible  for  the  God  of  truth  to 
lie  or  forswear  himself,  so  it  is  impossible  for  any  of  the  heirs  of  pro- 
mise to  perish.     Such  is  the  blessed  hope  before  us..    Happy  souls, 
who  have  fled  to  Jesus  for  refuge,  and  have  laid  hold  of  ihis  hope  ! 
Henceforward  nothing  but  consolation,  strong  consolation,  arisetli  to 
such  poor  sinners  from  the  word  of  truth.     This  hope  can  never  fail 
them;  whateverwithinor  witJiout fluctuates  orchangesjthisnever  can. 

This  hope  is  ever  to  be  held  fast,  even  though  appearances  wear 
a  gloomy  aspect,  sense  of  comfort  declines,  feelings  of  joy  seem 
dead,  and  all  hope  from  ourselves  forsakes  us.  But,  Father,  thy 
meicies  never  die;  thy  counsel  shall  stand;  thy  oath  cannot  fail. 
Hope  in  these  is  an  anchor  to  ri»c  soul.  Whatever  storms  or  tem- 
pests are  without,  or  when  the  sweliiug  waves  of  corruption  lift  up 
their  voice  within,  yet  the  God  of  hope  is  mightier  than  all,  and  the 
christian  hope  riseth  above  all  ;  therefore  is  it  sure  and  steady.  It 
is  cast  out  of  sight  within  the  veil.  By  this  blessed  hope  of  the  gos- 
pel, poor,  sin-condemned,  soul-distressed  sinners,  are  kept  steady- 
to  .Tesus,  and  find  a  comfortuble  and  secure  refuge.  And  tliat  pre- 
cious Spirit,  who  shews  them  their  danger,  and  guides  them  to  safety, 
causcth  the  joy  of  hope  to  spring  up  in  their  souls.  I'hey  enjoy  hope 
in  themselves  concerning  their  own  state  towards  God  through  oui' 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  even  a  good  hope  through  grace  :  and  they  arc 
made  to  abound  in  hope  by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  O  this  is 
a  comforting,  operative  grace  !  it  leads  the  soul  to  expect  all  that 
G"d  has  promised,  even  all  the  blessings  of  the  everlasting  covenant 
oftrrace,  whicli  flow  to  us  from  the  life  and  death  of  Jesus  ;  all  are 
secured  by  the  immutable  coiniscl  and  solemn  oath  of  an  unchangea- 
ble God,  both  i'or  time  and  eternity.  And  as  a  fruit  and  evidence 
that  it  is  a  holy,  godly  hope,  it  influences  tlie  soul  in  obedience  to  all 
the  Lord's  commands.  *'  Every  man  that  has  this  hope  in  him,  puri- 
fies himself  even  as  God  is  pure,"   1  John  iii.  3. 

Thus  Jesus  is  the  only  and  alone  object  through  v.-hom  God  re- 
veals the  hnpc  of  salvation.  His  work  is  finished.  It  is  our  happi- 
ness to  believe  this,  and  to  rejoice  in  tlie  hope  it  affords  us.  Christ 
is  therefore  tvcr  to  be  looked  to,  and  daily  trusted  in.  Arid  the  more 
thou  art  exercised  in  this  way,  so  much  the  more  inward  hope  and 
joyful  consolation  will  he  cxpcricnctd  in  the  soul.  "  My  hope  is  in 
ihec,"  Psalm  xxxix.  7. 


140  MAY  7. 

And  they  said  one  to  another.  Did  not  our  hearts  burn 
within  us,  while  he  talked  with  us  by  the  way,  andwlide 
he  opened  to  us  the  scriptures  ? — Luke  xxiv.  32. 

When  the  fire  of  divine  love  burns  in  the  heart,  disciples  can- 
not refrain  speaking  of  it  to  each  other.  But  how  transient  are  the 
frames  of  God's  dear  children  !  Too  apt  are  the  strongest  believers 
to  live  upon  sense  and  feeling,  instead  of  faith  and  promises.  The 
former  may,  and  often  doth  fail  in  enjoyment,  but  the  latter  is  found- 
ed upon  tlie  firm  immutable  foundation  of  the  God  of  truth,  there- 
fore is  sure  and  infallible. 

These  disciples  were  just  before  in  dejection  and  despondency. 
The  time  was  come  for  resurrection-comfort,  but  their  Lord  not  ap- 
pearing as  they  expected,  they  were  sad.  Jesus  was  with  them,  but 
they  knew  him  not.  He  upbraids  ;  «  O  fools,  and  slow  of  heart  to 
believe  all  the  prophets  have  spoken  1"  Then  he  expounds  the 
scripture  concerning  himself,  l-'resentiythe  fire  kindles  in  their  hearts. 
But  it  seems  that  it  was  soon  past :  yea,  gone  before  they  spoke  of 
it.  "  Did  not  our  hearts  burn  ?"  how  sweet  was  it !  what  ravishing- 
moments  were  those  !  Doubtless  tliey  could  have  wished  them  to  have 
continued  always.  So  they  should  if  the  master  saw  good.  If  Jesus 
knew  it  was  best,  every  disciple  should  enjoy  hearts  ever  warm,  ever 
glowing  with  the  heavenly  flame  of  divine  love.  It  verily  is  sweet 
to  sense.  Those  who  have  been  "bapii zed  with  the  Holy  Ghost, 
and  fire"  of  divine  love,  will  speak  of  it  to  the  gloj-y  of  Jesus,  and 
long  for  more  lasting  enjoyment  of  it.  This  best  wine  is  reserved 
for  the  last.  Disciple,  soon  shall  thou  diink  thy  fill,  without  dangei* 
of  being  intoxicated.  But  thou  must  wait  the  promise,  as  these  dis- 
ciples did.  Thou  must  go  to  the  same  place  where  they  now  are, 
before  thy  thii-sty  soul  is  perfectly  satisfied.  May  it  be  our  present 
conceiTi,  that  we  give  Jesus  no  cause  to  upbraid  us  for  folly  iuid  un- 
belief, in  not  abiding  by  the  prophets,  promises,  aiul  his  testimony  ! 
Wcare  to  live  upon  the  truth  of  the  word,  and  not  upon  fire  and 
feeling  Avithin.  But  yet,  disciples  should  ever  be  on  their  guard 
against  such  who  deny  the  experienced  conrifo.rts  and  joys  of  the  Holy 
Ghost.  Be  not  put  off  with  dry  notions,  which  are  like  the  pale 
light  of  the  waning  moon ;  but  administer  not  the  animatng 
warmth  of  the  meridian  sun.  Tor,  saith  Jesus,  "  The  words  that  I 
spcaksinto  you,  they  are  spirit  iuid  they  are  life,"  John  vi.  63. 


If  sweet  be  our  frame, 
We  thank  his  clear  name  : 

Or  if  il  remain, 
Ami  we  are  in  pain. 

If  bitter,  we  pray. 

And  Jesus  so  loves  us,  he  t.ake3  it  awrty 

We  cheerfully  boar. 

And  bless  oui-  kind  Saviour  ^ 

[there. 
.VftO  suffers  it 

MAY  8.  141 

I  find  then  a  law,  that  -when  I  would  do  good,  evil  is  pre- 
sent  with  me. — Rom.  vii.  21. 

The  heathens  in  their  sacrifices  were  wont  to  cry  out,  '  Keep 
at  a  distance,  O  ye  profiuie  :'  but  they  withheld  not  their  oflcringp, 
lest  the  unhallowed  should  be  the  more  polluted,  or  their  sacrifices 
be  defiled  by  them.  For  the  godly  consolation,  edification,  and  estab- 
lishment of  sanctified  souls,  it  seemed  meet  lor  the  spirit  oi  wisdom 
that  the  ;.postle  Paul  should  leave  his  experience  in  this  epistle  to 
the  Romans.  Here  he  confesses  himself  a  poor  suiner,  yet  a  holy 
and  happy  believer  in  Jesus.  Hereby  to  many  precious  souls  Jesus 
hath  been  made  more  infinitely  precious,  wliile  sin  has  been  viewed 
as  more  exceeding  sinful,  and  tlicmselves  made  to  sink  -lower  in 
humility  at  the  feet  of  sovereign  grace.  Let  those  who  dare  advert 
to  this  blessed  testimony  for  contrary  purposes,  remember  tlie  judge 
is  at  the  door.  Shortly  they  must  account,  if  they  turn  the  iood  of 
God's  word  to  the  poison  of  their  own  souls. 

Fools  make  a  mock  of  sin,  while  godly  souls  groan  under  the  bur- 
den of  'ndwelling  corruption.  The  former's  conduct  is  an  awful 
proof  of  their  state.  The  sorrows  of  the  latter  is  a  certain  evidence 
of  the  spiritual  life  and  sanctificittion  of  their  souls,  being  born  again 
of  the  Spirit ;  to  do  good  is  the  delight  of  their  hearts.  Being  living 
members  of  Jesus  by  faith,  they  love  conformity  to  their  head  ;  being 
sons  of  God  by  adoption,  it  is  their  joy  to  love,  obey,  and  please  their 
heavenly  Father  in  all  things.  Perfection  in  holiness  they  aspire  after; 
entire  freedom  from  sin  they  comfortably  hope  for  :  but  the  God  of 
truth  will  not  suffer  his  own  elect  to  be  deceived,  and  to  thhik  tliem- 
selvcs  what  they  are  not,  nor  ever  will  be  in  tlie  flesh,  perfectly  freed 
from  sin  ;  for  the  old  man,  with  his  affections  and  lusts,  is  ever  near, 
ever  present  with  them.  "  In  their  flesli  dwells  no  good  thing,"  nor 
ever  will ;  they  are  not  to  expect  any  good  from  it ;  it  lusts  only  to 
evil  continually;  their  best  thoughts  are  often  iPiterrupted  and  divert- 
ed, their  most  holy  desires  arc  often  damped  and  discouraged,  their 
best  actions  are  seldom,  if  ever,  free  from  the  bold  intrusion  of  un- 
welcome guests  from  the  world,  flesh,  and  tlic  Devil.  '  I  would  be 
wholly  devoted  to  the  Lord,  saith  the  gracious  soul  ;  all  my  powers 
and  faculties,  time  and  talents,  all  that  I  possess  and  enjoy,  would  I 
wholly  (as  assisted)  freely  and  willingly  dedicate  in  love  to  Jes'us.' 
Scarce  the  pleasing  thought  is  conceived,  but  the  evil  of  pride  injects. 
What  a  rare  name  will  this  acquire  me  !  how  shall  I  be  admired, 
and  shine  as  somebody  in  the  christian  world  !  O  this  sinks  the 
christian  with  shame,  and  causes  him  to  hide  his  head  with  holy 
blushing.  But  let  not  this  discourage  thee.  Paul  abated  nothing  of 
his  zeal  for  God's  glory  and  doing  good,  because  cf  this.  Follow  his 
steps.  "  Trust  in  the  Lord  and  do  good,"  Psalm  x:txvii.  3. 
Vol.  I.  S 


142  MAY  9. 

TFhile  the  earth  remamcth  seed-time  and  harvest,  and 
cold  and  heat,  and  summer  and  winter^  and  day  and 
night  shall  not  cease  — Gen.  viii.  22. 

"  Godliness  is  profitable  unto  all  things,  having  promise  of  the 
life  that  now  is,  and  of  that  which  is  to  come,"  1  Tim.  iv.  8.  By- 
faith  we  view  the  declarations  of  Jehovah  as  the  blessings  of  a  father's 
love.  The  returning  seasons,  the  revolving  periods  of  time  declare  the 
glory  of  our  heaverily  Father;  while  the  christian  meditates  upon  c.nd 
gratitude  inspires  his  heart  for  the  innumerable  blessings  of  time,  yet 
far  nobler  subjects  demand  the  contemplation  of  his  soul.  Hc.ppy  for 
us,  wlien  temporal  blessings  are  enjoyed  as  covcmmt  mercies,  and  arc 
sanctified  to  us  in  Christ  Jesus.  We  see  and  adore  the  sovereignty 
of  God  in  appointing  times  and  seasons.  The  immutability  oi  his 
will  is  the  law  by  which  they  are  governed.  When  the  fixed  period 
shall  come,  all  nature  shall  be  reduced  to  its  primitive  nothing.  Time 
shall  be  swallowed  up  in  a  never-ending  eternity.  Happy  soul,  who 
art  taught  the  displays  of  grace  from  the  images  of  nature,  who  bows 
to  the  sovereignty  of  love,  rejoices  in  the  covenant  of  grace,  ancl 
rests  upon  the  immutability  of  God's  purposes  and  promises  in  Christ 
Jesus  to  poor  sinners  !  Such  are  assured  that  as  in  nature,  so  in  the 
kingdom  of  grace,  seed-time  and  harvest  shall  not  fail  to  God's  cliurch 
and  people,  because  of  "  his  everlasting  covenant  which  is  ordered 
in  all  things,  and  sure." 

There  is  atinic  for  the  immortal  seed  of  tlie  word  to  be  sown  in 
every  elect  soul.  .  'I'his  is  experienced  by  the  seed  striking  root  in 
conviction  of  sin ;  by  its  springing  up  in  faith,  desire,  and  love  to  Jesus. 
And  because  the  sun  of  righteousness  ever  lives  and  shines  upon  his 
members,  they  shall  most  assuredly  reap  an  harvest  of  eternal  glory. 
Chilling  cold  and  winter's  blasts  may  succeed  the  summer  of  love  and 
Warmth  of  affection.  Nights  of  darkness,  from  desertion,  temptation, 
and  yfHiclion,  may  follow  days  of  peace,  joy,  and  corisolation.  These 
various  seasons  and  changes  will  pass  upon  and  be  experienced  by 
believing  souls  "  while  the  earth  remaineth  ;"  that  is,  so  long  as  our 
earthly,  sensual  nature  continues  ;  but  it  is  sentenced  to  dissolution. 
We  must  leave  it  on  this  side  Jordan,  then  we  shall  see  it  no  more 
as  in  enemy  for  ever.-  But  in  the  presence  of  Jesus  the  soul  shall 
have  fulness  of  joy,  and  the  body  shall  be  r;used  a  glorious  body,  to 
enjoy  the  pleasures  which  are  cit  his  right  hand  for  ever  more.  There 
shall  be  no  night  of  darkness,  no  chill  of  affection,  no  winter  of 
distress.  At  present  this  is  our  sweet  consolation  ;  of  every  one  of 
his  beloved  members  Christ  saith,-"  Because  I  live,  ye  shall  live 
also,"  John  xiv.  I'J.  In  the  experience- of  faith  we  know  ''Christ 
is  our  life  ;  with  joy^we  declare,  "  when  he  shidl  appear,  then  shall 
wc  also  appear  with  him  in  glory,"Col.  iii.  4. 


MAY  10.  143 

Holding  faith  and  a  good  conscience  ;  which  some  having 
put  away,  concerning  faith  have  made  shipwreck  — 
1  Tinr  i.  19, 

«'  He  that  shall  endure  to  the  eml,  the  same  shall  be  saved," 
MuFk  xiii.  13  S')  the  master  taught ;  so  disciples' believe.  By  pci  se- 
verance in  faith,  tlie  crown  shall  be  enjoyed.  So  glory  peilects 
what  grace  begins.  God's  power  is  faith's  confidence;  (iod's  tiuih  is 
faith's  assurance  ;  f.dth's  author  and  faith's  finisher  isJesus.  '1  here- 
fore,  "  the  righteous  shall  hold  on  his  way,  and  he  that  huth  clean 
hands  shall  be  stronger  and  stronger,"  si.ith  the  son  of  faith  and 
patience,  Job  xvii.  9.  "  The  top-stone  (of  finished  salvation)  sliall 
be  brought  forth  with  shoutings,  crying  grace,  grace  1"  Zecn.  iv.  7. 
Such  are  the  immutable  truths  of  the  covenant  of  grace,  the  gospel 
of  grace,  and  the  God  of  grace.  Whatever  legal  spirits  do,  gracious 
souls  will  ever  draw  gracious  influences  from  the  safety  and  security 
of  grace.  "  Let  him  who  thinketh  he  standcth,  take  heed  le^t  he 
fall,"  1  Cor.  X.  12.  Take  heed  that  he  be  not  high-minded,  and 
trust  in  uncertain  riches  tliat  he  fancies  he  hath  obtained  by  l)is  own 
faithfulness,  creature-ability?  and  natural  free-will,  and  so  be  led 
away  from  trusting  in  the  living  God,  who  giveth  all  things.  Many- 
such  sclf-sanctified  saints  have,  and  do  daiiy  fall  away,  and  have  nuide 
tcrtible  shipwrecli  of  their  fancied  faith,  imaginary  good  conscience, 
self-applauding  inherent  righteousness,  and  have  perished  in  tiiegulph 
of  vain  glory  and  presumption.  Therefore  see  to  it,  disciple,  that 
you  hold  fast,  and  contend  earnestly  for  the  faith  once  delivered  to 
God's  saints  :  such  as  the  doctrines  of  eternal  election  to  salvation, 
according  to  the  everlasting  covenant  love  of  the  ever  glorious  trinity, 
a  finished  salvation  by  the  atonement,  f^ill  justification  by  the  pc  rfect 
righteousness  of  Jesus,  and  final  perseverance  in  holiness  by  the 
Spirit  of  truth.  Hold  them  fast,  not  in  word  only,  but  in  power,  as 
the  essential  truths  of  Jehovah,  as  the  very  life  and  joy  of  thy  soul. 
So  shalt  thou  have  and  keep  a  good  conscience,  sprinkled  from  guilt 
by  the  blood  of  Jesus  ;  and  a  good  testimony  of  it  by  the  Spirit  of 
grace,  through  faith.  Ever  remember,  "  the  answer  of  a  good  con- 
science toward  God  is  by  the  resurrection  pf  Jesus  Christ," 
I  Pet.  iii.  21.  Thou  couldst  obtain  it  no  other  way.  Thou  canst 
only  enjoy  it  by  the  faith  of  this.  Beware  of  putting  this  away.  ,  Hold 
it  fast.  Be  "confident  of  this  very  thing,  that  he  who  hath  began  a 
good  work  (of  faith  and  love  in  thee)  will  perform  it  unto  the  day  of 
Christ,"  Phil.  i.  6. 

Amidst  a  thousand  snares  I  stand,  Grace  will  coriijUete  what  gi-ace  begins, 

ITplielil  niul  guarded  by  tliy  hand.  To  save  from  sorrows  oi-  from  sins  : 

Tliy  words  my 'fainting  soul  revive,  Tic  work  that  wisdom  undertakes, 

And  kt  cp  my  dying  faiUi  alire,  Et';rnal  mercy  ne'er  forsakes. 


144  MAY  U. 

And  for  their  sakes  T  sanctify  myself  that  they  also  might 
be  sanctified  through  the  truth. — Joliii  xvn.  1 9. 

Belikvers  have  the  strongest  assurance  of  attaining  the  highest 
degree  of  holiness  their  souls  are  capable  of  enjoying,  from  a  recon- 
ciled God,  from  an  interceding  Mediator,  and  from  the  influences  of 
the  Holy  Spirit  How  precious  is  every  work  of  Jesus  J  Hath  he 
shed  his  blood  to  pi-ocure  our  pardon  ?  Hath  he  wrought  out  a  righ- 
teousness to  justify  us  ?  What  tl^en  ?  Doth  he  commit  a  stock  of 
inherent  grace  to  us,  to  improve  and  be  faithful  to,  in  order  to 
sanctify  and  consecrate  ourselves  to  God  ?  O  no  I  ever  be  aware  of 
this  notion  :  it  leads  to  pride,  nourishes  a  spirit  of  independence  on 
our  head,  makes  faith  void,  vacates  the  office  of  the  Spirit,  and  is 
therefore  to  be  rejected  as  a  dangerous  heresy. 

But,  saith  Jesus,  "  for  the  sakes  of  all  my  dear  members,  I 
sanctify  myself."  Not  to  the  office  of  priest.  This  was  by  the  call 
of  the  Father,  Heb.  v.  4,  5,  not  to  make  holy  his  human  nature. 
He  was  sanctified  by  the  Spirit,  liUke  i.  35.  But  our  Lord  here 
speaks  of  his  willingly  becoming  the  lavib  for  a  sacrifice,  to  take 
away  the  sin  of  the  world.  O,  to  this  he  most  cheerfully  set  himself 
apart,  consecrated  himself  to  God  for  the  sake  of  all  his  beloved 
members,  according  to  the  covenant  of  truth,  tlie  law  of  truth,  and 
the  grace  of  truth  :  and  to  this  blessed  end,  "  that  they  also  may  be 
sanctified  through  the  truth." 

Through  this  same  truth,  all  the  members  of  Jesus,  being  yet 
unborn,  and  having  neither  done  good  or  evil,  we're  to  be  sanctified, 
set  ap-u't,  or  consecrated  unto  God.  Thus  "  Jesus  suffered  without 
the  gate,  that  he  might  sanctify  the  people  with  his  own  blood," 
Heb.  xiii.  12.  "God  chose  tlicm  from  the  beginning,  through  the 
panctification  of  the  spirit,  and  belief  of  the  truth,"  2  Thess.  ii.  13. 
Through  belief  of  what  truth  doth  the  Spirit  sanctify  ?  Through  the 
faith  of  Jesus,  who  is  the  tru/hf  they  arc  sanctified  to  God,  Acts 
xxvi.  13,  are  made  vessels  for  his  use  and  to  his  glory.  Poor 
drooping  believer,  thou  fcelest  tliy  sins  and  corruptions,  thou 
groanest  under  a  body  of  sin  and  death,  imd  therefore  sayest,  'I  am 
not  sanctified,  I  haye  no  part  nor  lot  in  this  matter.'  What  I  believe 
the  truth  ;  believe  in  Jesus,  and  yet  destitute  of  the  sanctification  of 
the  Spirit  ?  Impossible.  As  verily  as  Jesus  hath  conseciated  tliee 
to  G^d  by  his  blood,  his  spirit  hath  sanctified  thee  through  faith. 
«  Abide  in  me,"  saith  the  Lamb ;  so  wilt  tliou  enjoy  move  fellow- 
ship with  him,  and  be  more  conformed  to  his  image. 

Did  Jesns  sanctify  himself  AW  re  sinclificd  thi-onp,h  tho  truth  : 

Ueranso  his  memhei'S  were  unclc-an  !  From  Iience  no  lie  did  cvfii-  spring : 

Then  al'i  who  now  believe  in  him.  But  :ill  w  ill  sure  he  liare  found 

Are  freed  t'l-am  all  the  ovusg  of  stn^  'NVJ'io  d:ii  c  Uisay,  we' have  no iin-    J^^ 


MAY  12.  145 

But  to  do  good  and  to  communicate  forget  not ;  for  with 
mch sacrifices  God  is  wtdl pleased-  Heb.  xm.  i6. 

Through  tfie  artliil  wiles  oi  Satan,  the  corrupt  reasonings  of 
deceitful  nature,  and  the  doctrines  oi  false  teachers,  disciples  arc  in 
danger  of  errors  on  the  right  hand  and  on  the  left.  Because  good 
works  do  not  merit  God's  favor,  and  entitle  us  to  his  accepiance, 
therefore,  say  some,  '  We  cannot  do  any  thing  that  is  gooti  and 
wcll-plcasing  in  the  sight  of  God.'  So  if  satan  cannot  blind  us  by 
false  hopes  and  legal  confidences,  he  strives  to  poison  our  minds 
with  detestable,  licentious  notions,  dist.onorabic  to  Jesus,  contrary 
to  faith,  subversive  of  love,  and  destruciivc  ot  the  hoiuitss  and  peace 
of  the  gospel.  But  it  cannot  be  so  wlicn  Jesus  is  behtiu  and  re- 
joiced hi  as  our  s.xrifice  arid  atonement  lor  bin,  as  our  Lciovtd,  in 
whom  our  persons  are  accepted.  ''  By  him  we  are  niaae  priests 
unto  God.''  He  is  our  altar,  en  which  our  sacrifices  arc  oftercd, 
and  which  consecrates  our  gifts.  Arc  we  exhorted  to  do  goou  and 
to  please  our  gracious  God  and  loving  t'atlier  ?  Faith  exciies  most 
powerfully  ;  love  binds  with  strongest  cords  ;  avid  hope  animates 
with  the  most  prevailing  pleas  to  this.  "  Christ  our  pcksover  is 
sacrificed  for  us."  Such  was  his  love.  In  gratitude  lor  such  love, 
to  sacrifice  our  all  to  him  is  ever  our  bounden  duty. 

Shame  to  us  that  we  should  be  prone  to  forget  this.  Exhorta- 
tions remind  us  that  wc  are  apt  to  this  ;  and  ol  what  our  Loid  ex- 
pects from  us.  God  hath  not  forgotten  to  be  gracious  to  us.  K  -.  us 
never  intermits  in  his  suit  for  us.  Shall  we  lorgei  our  duly,  and 
neglect  at  my  time  to  do  good  on  earth  \  Not  siuuy  daily  to  picase 
him  who  is  our  portion,  our  all  in  time  and  eterniiy  i  Doth  the  glori- 
ous Jehovah  condescend  to  assure  us,  ,1  am  well  pleased  wiui  your 
beneficence,  your  communicative  goodness  to  my  crtaiurts,  and  jour 
brethren  for  my  sake  ?  and  shall  we  ever  be  unmindlui  of,  and  indif- 
ferent about  this  matter  ?  Forbid  it,  Lord  !  animate  us  with  n)ore  of 
the  fire  of  love  !  To  live  without  prayer  and  praise,  argues  insensi- 
bility and  ingratitude  ;  not  to  study  to  glorify  God  in  our  actions, 
shews  the  want  of  love;  and  where  the  spirit  olpiayer,  praise,  love 
and  obedience  is  wanting,  where,  alas,  is  our  evidence  that  we  are 
the  children  of.  the  gracious  God,  members  of  a  compassionate 
Saviour,  and  influenced  by  the  Spirit  of  love  ? 

ThronM  on  a  cloud  ourjiul^e  sliall  come,  By  the  Rcdeempr's  sacrifice, 

Rriprht  flames  prepare  liis  way,  Wlio  scal'd  it  witli  his  blood. 

Thunder  and  darkness,  fire  and  storm, 

Lead  on  the  dread  ul  day.  '^'"■''*  *'"'^''  ""'^  ''"'"'*"  ^'"""Al't  '""'•t^  *• 

Shall  make  the  world  confess,       [lights 

Now  srritlier  all  my  saints  (he  cries)  My  sentence  of  reward  is  riRht, . 

Tbat  are  at  peace  with  God,  And  heav'n  adores  my  grace. 


146  MAY  13. 

JMy  soul  cleaveth  unto  the  dust :  quicken  thou  me  according 
to  thy  coord — Psaim  cxix.  2j. 

Oke  would  dread  that  state  iirVost  of  all  others,  wuich  St.  Paid 
describes,  "being  past  feeling,"  Ephes.  4.  19,  True,  there  is 
this  alleviation,  such  arc  insensible  of  their  deplorable  condition. 
Bat  if  tne  great  trumpet  of  the  gospel  awakes  not  the  soul  in  this  iife 
to  spiritual  sense  tr.ul  feeling,  verily  the  loud  archckugel's  trumpet 
will  awaken  it  to  hear  its  awful  sentence  and  feel  its  dreadful  doom 
in  the  last  day.  O  what  a  miracle  of  grace  to  be  quickened,  to  know 
one*s  misery,  to  feel  one's  wants,  to  believe  the  remedy,  and  cry  for 
relief!  This  blessed  work  is  not  of  the  will  of  the  flesh.  No  man 
can  quicken  hisown  soul ;  it  is  the  sovereign  word  of  almighty  power; 
it  is  equally  ascribed  to  the  loving  Father,  the  redeeming  Sou,  and 
the  sanctifying  Spirit,  John  v.  21,  and  vi.  63 — therefore  gracious 
souls  give  all  the  glory  to  the  ever-blessed  trinity.  Free-will  is  the 
child  of  pride,  it  dwells  in  the  heads  of  almost  chribVans,  and  is  only 
boasted  of  by  the  enemies  of  truth. 

"  I  am  come,  that  my  children  might  have  life,"  suiih  Jesus. 
He  quickencth  the  dead  in  trespasses  and  sin  ;  and  then  they  cry 
to  him  to  have  life  more  abundantly.  Flere  is  the  wisdom  of  hea- 
ven-born souls  ;  they  deny  themselves  of  the  vain  pleasures,  carnal 
delights,  and  sensual  gratifications  of  this  world.  They  know  these 
things  oppose  the  life,  interrupt- the  peace,  and  damp  the  joy  of 
tiieir  souls.  Their  only  happiness  centers  in  Jesus — in  iife  and  love 
communicated  from  him;  therefore  they  study  to  avoid  such  things 
as  arc  contraiy  to  his  mind  and  will :  and  as  they  too  often  find  a 
cleaving  to  dust,  to  the  sensible,  etathiy,  vtJn  enjoyments  of  this 
world,  this  alarms  them — it  is  a  burden  and  grief  to  them  :  they 
pour  out  their  compUJnts  to  their  beloved  Jesus,  with,  '  Master,  let 
it  not  be  thus ;  quicken  my  drooping  spirit,-  enliven  my  declining 
heart,  cheer  my  languishing  soul,  according  to  the  word  of  thy  grace, 
the  trutli  of  thy  promises.'  Here  is  the  "blessed  coi:fidcnce  of  faith. 
His  word  is  our  plea  ;  by  that  we  have  assurance  of  being  heard  and 
answered.  The  precepts  of  his  word  teach  us  his  will  ;  and  we  can- 
not feel  a  want  but  God's  word  promises  to  supply  ;  therefore  that 
is  the  warrant  of  faith,  a  light  to  direct  our  feet ;  and  so  also  it  is 
cur  best  directory  for  prayer.  So  Christ  prays  for  all  his,  "  Sanctify 
them  through  thy  tinith  ;  thy  word  is  truth,"  John  xvii.  17. 

'  Mv  soTiI  at  times  cleaves  (o  the  dust ;  O  koci>  (lictn  ever  fi.vM  on  ilice, 
'  Loit?,  pjivo  me,  life  tiivine  ;  IVty  lionl,  »«y  lifi-,  my  love  : 

«  From  vain  <Iesires  and  every  lust  Low  vjiniliesniay  I  (k-8]nijc, 
*  Tui-n  oft*  these  eyes  of  miuc'  A^id  sock  those  tliiiu's  ahovi?.  '>!. 


'       MAY  14.  147 

Wherefore  Jesus  also,  that  lie  might  sanctify  the peopleroith 
his  oivtj  blood,  suffered  without  the  gate  — Hcb.  xiii.  i2. 

Sin  viewed  in  the  gluss  of  God's  holy  law,  fills  the  soul  with 
terror,  works  wruth  in'  the  conscience,  and  leaves  the  sinner  under 
tlie  curse  without  hope:  but  while  the  infinitely  precious  sacrifice  of 
Jesus  is  beheld,  sin  appears  exceeding  siniul ;  the  sinner  is  truly 
humbled,  sin  is  loathed,  Christ  is  cleaved  to,  i.nd  hope  sprhigs  up 
in  the  sin-distrcsscd  conscience. 

In  the  tabernacle  of  old,  as  tlierc  were  no  windows  in  it,  a  lamp 
was  to  burn  always,  that  the  house  of  Ciod  might  not  at  any  time  be 
in  darkness  :  this  the  Lord  ordained  unto  the  chUdren  of  Israe  , 
Kxod.  xxvii.  21.  As  the  darkness  is  past,  and  the  true  iii^ht  novr 
shineth,  we  see  Jesus,  Who  is  the  altar,  the  sacrifice,  and  the  priest, 
by  and  through  whom  we  -are  sanctified.  This  truth  is  to  be  kept 
daily  burning:  brig;ht  in  the  lamp  of  faith,  in  the  teniple  of  the  hearL 
The  man  Jesus,  upon  whom  all  the  sins  of  the  elect  were  laid^  was 
made  a  curse  for  them;  he  cheerfully  devoted  himself,  his  holy  body, 
his  precious  blood,  his  innocent  soul,  as  a  sin  oficriiig  for  them  ia 
the  great  day  of  atonement.  "  By  his  own  oifermg  he  hath  for  ever 
perfected  all  them  that  are  sanctified ;"  that  is,  separated  by  the 
choice  of  the  I-'alher  as  the  objects  of  his  love.  Tiiey  are  all  conse- 
crated to  God  by  the  blood  of  Jesus. 

As  the  bodies  of  the  beasts,  under  the  law,  were  burnt  without  the 
camp,  and  their  blood  brought  into  the  holy  of  holies,  aiid  sprinkled 
on  the  mercy-seat,  so  our  dear  aiid  ever  precious  Jesus  suftered  dl 
the  inexpressible  agonies  of  soul  and  body,  from  the  fire  of  God's 
wrath,  due  to  our  sin  ;  bore  all  the  scandal,  curse,  and  reproach  of 
it.  *' without  the  gate  of  tl\e  city,"  as  an  alien  and  outcast  of  the 
people.  His  own  most  precious  blood  having  once  purged,  expiated, 
and  taken  aw?y  the  guilt  of  sin,  and  made  peifccL  reconciliation  for 
his  people,  it  ever  speaks  in  their  behalf,  and  plcc.ds  their  cause 
before  the  throne  ;  averts  all  wrath  from  them,  ar.d  obtains  all 
blessing  for  them  :  thus  we  are  purged  from  the  g\iilt  of  sin  ;  thus 
we  are  consecvated  unto  God.  In  the  faith  of  this,  ".  we  have  bold- 
ness to  enter  into  the  holiest,  even  by  the  blood  of  Jesus."  Thus 
purged,  thus  consecrated,  every  belie  ver  is  a  piiest  unto  God  ;  he 
is  encouraged  to  draw  nigh  to  God  with  confidence  of  access';  txnd 
it  is  his  high  and  peculiar  honor  "  to  clTer  spiiitual  s.c:  ificcs  attcp- 
table  to  God  by  Jesus  Christ,"   I  Pet.  ii.  3. 

•  \Vc  see  the  blood  of  Jesus  shed,  Ry  this  we're  suiictifieil  to  God, 

*  Milt  I  ce  all  our  coiufoils  rise  ;  S.  people  for  lils  (u-.-iise  :  [wonl, 

*  The  sinner  \icws  th'  atonement  jn:«lr,      Fiiilli  t:.kcs  the  l)l«'ssing  from  Christ's 

'  And  loves  the  sRcrificc'  Am?  glories  in  his  grace.  M. 


148  MAY  15. 

The  liberal  deviseth  liberal  things;  and  by  liberal  things  he 
shall  stand  for  be  established  J  — Isa.  xxxii.  8. 

We  all  naturally  act  from  selfish  principles,  and  with  mercenary 
views,  because  we  are  under  the  legal  covenant,  "  Do  this  and  live." 
Hence  saith  one,  '  If  doing  righteousness  and  perfornnng  good  works' 
will  not  justify  and  save  me,  as  good  sit  still  and  do  nothing,  no  mat- 
ter !iow  wicked  lam.'  Saith  another,  '  To  be  sure,  we  are  justified 
by  faith  only,  but  then  I  must  fulfil  the  terms  and  conditions  of  the 
gospel,  for  my  holiness  and  obedience  secures  my  salvation.'  Such 
poor  creatures  reason  carnally  ;  their  principles  are  only  selfish,  their 
views  are  mercenary.  God  is  not  served  at  all,  but  pride  and  self  are 
at  the  bottom  of  all  they  do  ;  to  estabUsh  a  righteousness  of  their 
own  is  their  chief  aim.  The  glory  of  God  is  not  sought ;  his  grace 
is  overlooked  ;  Jesus  is  depreciated  in  his  work  and  office,  as  though 
all  his  toils  and  sufferings,  holy  life  and  bitter  death,  hud  only  pro- 
cured salvation  upon  a  better  bargidn  and  easier  terms  for  us.  Such 
piinciples  are  servile,  base,  and  dishonorable  to  a  God  of  grace  and 
love.  Vain  the  talk  of  such  about  working  for  God  ;  they  do  no- 
thing for  God,  but  want  to  earn  something  from  God  for  themselves  ; 
take  away  the  idol  self  from  them,  and  then  all  working  is  at  end 
with  them. 

But  the  liberal  soul  acts  from  gracious  principles,  and  deviseth 
liberal  things.  He  sees  salvation  is  all  of  free  grace  and  free  gift  by 
Jesus.  He  is  our  all  :  he  hath  done  all,  suffered  -all,  obeyed  in  all 
things,  prevails  for  all  things,  and  makes  all  efi'ectual  to  the  soul's 
perfect,  complete,  and  final  salvation.  '  The  Saviour  is  in  mine  eye  ; 
he  is  in  mine  heart ;  he  is  my  Alpha  and  Omega,  my  first  hope  and 
last  stay.  IMy  views  are  to  his  glory.  O  when  I  deserved  nothing 
but  hell,  love,  electing,  everlasting  love  looked  on  me  with  pity, 
and  was  manifested  to  me  through  Jesus  by  the  word  and  Spirit : 
therefore  it  is  I  long,  I  love,  I  delight- daly  to  glorify  the  ever- 
gracious  and  cver-Ioving  triune  God.  I  cheerfully  devote  my  all  to 
him  who  hath  done  all  for  me,  who  hath  loved  me  and  given  hiniself 
forme.  My  life  of  faith,  of  hope,  of  love,  of  holiness,  centers  in 
Jesus,  and  is  frony  him.  If  I  have  but  a  cup  of  cold  water  to  give,  I 
give  it  in  my  dear  Lord's  name,  in  love  and  gratitude  to  him.'  Such 
are  the  generous  sciitiments  of-  the  liberal  soul ;  and,  saith  wisdom, 
"  By  itbcral  things  he  shall  stand."  Stand  fast  in  the  liberty  where- 
with Clirist  has  made  him  free.  He  shall  be  established  on  the  firm 
foundi'tion  of  eternal  truth,  against  the  power  and  subtlety  of  satan, 
and  all  the  human  systems  and  precaricMas  schemes  of  man's  devising. 
*'  The  foundation  of  God  standeth  sure,  having  this  seal,  The,Lord 
knowcth  tiiciu  that  arc  his  ;  and  let  every  one  that  niimeth  the  name 
Oi  Christ,  depart  IVom  iniquity,"  2  Tim.  ii.  19. 


MAY  16.  149 

God  was  in  Christ  rcconcUing  the  world .  to  himself,  not 
imputing  their  trespasses  unto  them. — 2  Cor.  v.  19. 

The  only  living  and  true  God.  llie  great  and  essentially  glorious 
JcliDVcib,  Father,  Son,  and  Spirit  is  manifested  to  sinners,  as  dwelling 
in  the  man  Christ  Jesus.  This  is  the  peculiar  and  precious  truth  of 
the  gospel.  A  glorious  mystery  known  only  to  believing  souls.  All 
other  pretended  knowledge  of  God  ia  but  vain  speculation,  and 
pompous  ignorance,  which  dwell  in  men  of  corrupt  minds,  destitute 
of  thetruth.  But  the  new-born  soul  draws  all  his  comfort,  peace, 
joy,  and  holiness  from  this  inexhaustible  fountain  of  truth  and  con- 
solation. Fr6m  hence  ariseth  his  love  to  God  and  delight  in  him. 
He  beholds  God,  in  Christ,  loving  and  embracing  poor  sinners  of 
the  human  race.  God  is  well  pleased  with  them,  and  delighteth 
over  them  to  do  them  good.  Thus  saith  Luther  :  '  Mark  this  well 
in  the  matter  of  justification  :  when  any  of  us  shall  have  to  wrestle 
with  the  law,  sin,  death,  and  all  other  evils,  we  must  look  upon  no 
other  God,  but  only  this  God  incarnate,  and  clothed  with  man's 
nature,'  Ephes.  ii.  18,  Col.  i.  15 — 20. 

Thus  God  and  man  unite  in  the  one  man  Christ  Jesus  ;  in  this  fiuth 
©nly  is  the  mind  of  a  christian  easy  and  happy  ;  for  the  cause  of  all 
distress  and  sorrow  is  taken  away.  Amazing  grace  !  wonderful  love  I 
Canst  thou  I'ead  it  ?  canst  thou  believe  it  witliout  transport  of  joy  ? 
God  is  perfectly  reconciled  ;  he  doth  not  impute  trespasses.  Unto 
whom  ?  Verily,  the  world,  the  elect  world  of  Gentiles  as  well  as 
Jews  ;  all  sinners  of  the  fallen  race  whom  the  Father  hath  given  to 
his  Son  Christ  Jesus.  God  is  I'econcilcd  to  them.  In  faith  and  love 
they  shall  be  reconciled  to  him:  to  his  covenant  transactions,  elcctine 
love,  justifying  grace,  scheme  of  salvation,  and  hope  of  ctemal  life 
by  Jesus  only.  As  the  Father  gave  their  persons,  so  he  imputed 
tlieir  sins  to  Jesus,  he  bore  them  away,  God  chargeth  not  trespasses 
to  them,  they  are  free  from  sin,  as  viewed  by  God  in  Christ.  To 
this  truth  the  Spirit  bears  witness,  tlirough  the  faiih  of  Jesus.  So, 
believer,  thou  art  to  reckon  of  thyself  Though  black  as  hell, 
polluted  with  guilt,  defiled  with  sin,  yet  in  Christ  «  thou  art  all  fair, 
without  spot;"  fully  reconciled  to  God,  and  standest without  tres- 
passes before  him.  What  a  free  access  hast  thou  ever  open  to  God! 
what  cause  for  triumph  in  him,  and  love  to  hhn  !  what  assured  hope 
©f  etemal  enjoyment  of  him  !  O  my  soul,  what  reward  i,jiall  I  renrjer 
to  the  Lord  for  all  his  mercies  ! 

Till  ( iiicl  in  l.nm:in  Iksli  I  see,  His  uame  forbids  my  slavisl.  fear, 
AI J  tlioii^lits  no  comfcirt  find  :  1  [is  grace  removes  my  sins. 

The  holy,  just,  and  sacrod  Tlicc  -vVhile  many  on  their  woi'ks  rely. 
Arc  terrors  to  my  mind.  Ol,,,,,.^  ofwisdom  boast, 

But  if  ImrnHnuel's  face  appcor,  I  love  th'  incarijutc  mysfci-y. 
My  hope,  hjt  joy  bc-iHs  ;  An<l  (here  I  fix  m?  tru^*. 

V01..T.  T       ■  ■ 


150  MAY  17. 

So  shall  they  fear  the  name  of  the  Lord  from  the  west^  and 
his  glory  from  the  rising  of  the  suru,  IVhen  the  enemy 
shall  come  in  like  a  flood,  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  shall 
lijt  up  a  standard  against  him  (or  chace  him  axvayj. 
— Isa.  lix.  19. 

When-  a  poor  sinner  knows  what  human  nature  is,  and  sees  his 
brethren  and  companions  i.fter  the  flesh,  "  living  without  Christ  and 
without  God  in  the  world  ;''  making  a  mock  at  sin,  and  ridiculing  the 
truths  and  ways  of  Jesus  j  and  finds  his  own  heart  touched  with  a 
holy,  loving  fear  of  the  Lord,  then  he  is  ready  to  cry  out,  Whence 
is  this  ?  He  can  only  say, '  Grace  reigneth  ;  the  sun  of  righteousness 
hath  risen  upon  me.  So  Lord,  it  secmeth  good  in  tliy  sight — I  have 
'not  deserved  t'lis — thou  hast  spoken  in  truth,  and  fulfilled  in  faith- 
fulness. So  thy  word  runs,  so  thy  gospel  is  glorified,  free  as  the 
sun,  powerful  as  the  wind.'  Jehovah's  shalls  are  his  people's 
triumphs.  Here  are  two  most  absolute  declarations  for  faith  to  fix 
upon  and  plead,  in  any  hour  of  satan's  attack. 

For  as  sure  as  the  fear  of  the  Lord  shall  be  in  our  hearts,  so  also 
shall  the  enemy  oppose  us  ;  for  if  he  dare  plead  with  the  Saviour, 
"  Shall  the  prey  be  taken  from  the  mighty,  or  the  lawful  captive  be 
delivered  ?"  Isa.  xlix.  24.  Verily  he  will  follow  after  his  once 
seized  prey,  and  strive  to  regain  his  ransomed  captive  ;  yea  he  will 
challenge  the  poor  sinner  as  being  his  property.  One  would  be 
ready  to  ask.  Is  it  not  strange  that  the  loving^  alniighty  Saviour 
suffers  the  enemy,  like  a  surly  dog,  to  snap  and  snarl  at  his  dear 
■  children,  and  be  ready  to  tear  tlieir  victuals  cut  of  their  hands,  and 
his  peace  and  love  out  of  their  hearts  ?  No  :  it  cannot  be  otherwise  in 
our  present  state  ;  for  we  are  clothed  with  an  earthly,  sensual, 
devilish  nature,  to  which  Satan  has  easy  access. 

Humble  souls  have  little  reason  to  complain  that  they  have  not 
knov.n  so  great  a  degree  of  wrath,  nor  have  been  terrified  with  such 
dreadful  apprehensions  of  hell  and  damnation  as  some  oUiers.  O 
rather  love  ar.d  praise  Jesus,  if  thy  soul  is  brought  to  cleave  to  him 
in  faith,  and  choose  him  as  thy  Saviour  and  thy  all,  than  wish  to 
have  the  enemy  let  loose  upon  thy  soul.  Eut  if  this  is  the  case,  he  shall 
not  go  beyond  the  length  of  his  chain  ;  his  power  is  thy  Father's  per- 
mission ;  he  may  teriify  witli  wrath,  but  it  shall  issue  in  love.  Yea, 
though  he  should,  like  a  powerful  deluge,  come  in  and  distress  with 
blasphemous  injections,  horrible  tlioughts,  perplexing  fears,  and  pro- 
nounce hell  and  destruction  to  be  thy  doom,  even  then  thou  art  safe. 
The  Saviour's  power  is  thy  shield.  ^^<  The  Spirit  of  the  Lord  shall  lift 
up  a  standard," — The  Lamb  on  the  crqss.  In  the  steadLst  fi\ith  cf 
tjiis)  ".resist  the  Devil,  and  he  will  flee  fioan  you,"  Jmnes  iv.  7. 


,     MAY  18.  151 

If  thy  presence  go  not  w'tth  me,  cart'!/  us  not  up  hence. — 
Exod.  xxxiii.  15. 

Happy  for  us  if  this  was  om-  address  lo  the  Lord  under  eveiy 
enterprise  ;  how  many  ^distresses  and  difficulties  should  we  avoid  ! 
how  much  more  peaceful  and  comfortable  should  we  be  in  our  jour- 
ney through  life  !  It  is  a  blessed  thing  to  have  an  especial  eye  to 
God's  presence,  as  well  as  to  his  providence.  The  Lord  may  pcin\it 
his  children  to  succeed  in  their  schemes  and  undertakings  in  the 
course  of  his  pitrridence,  when  he  doth  not  accompiuiy  their  souls 
with  his  favor  and  presence.  Yea,  believer,  canst  thou  not  see  in 
many  of  thy  ways  wherein  thou  hast  been  permitted  to  go,  thaf'they 
have  proved  the  very  means  of  losing  the  sweet  sense  of  tliy  Lord's 
presence  ?  Whatever  outward  profit  or  pleasure  thou  hast  gained, 
verily  thou  must  confess  to  have  sustained  an  inward  loss.  How 
doth  it  behove  every  disciple  of  Jesus  to  '<  consider  his  ways  !"  It  is 
thy  wisdoni  daily  to  reflect,  what  is  the  tendency  of  my  present 
pursuit  ?  what  is  my  chief  aim  ?  what  can  I  expect  from  the  end  of 
it  ?  am  I  going  to  gratify  the  flesh  hi  pleasing  diversions  and  carnal 
delights  ?  Stop  one  njoment.  Consider.  Canst  tliou  expect  the 
presence  of  thy  God  ?  canst  thou  lift  up  thy  believing  heart  in  prayer 
to  Jesus  to  accompany  thee  ?  Certuhily  if  it  is  not  right  to  ask.  nor 
expect  his  spiritual  presence  to  go  with  thy  soul,  surely  there  it  is 
unlawful  for  thee  to  gc.  If  thou  canst  not  pray  in  faith,  canst  thou 
go  in  fidth  ?  O  remember  the  love  of  thy  Saviour,  who  died  to  re- 
deem thee  from  this  present  evil  world.  Call  to  mind  those  joys  ard 
pleasures  which  are  experienced  from  a  sweet  sense  of  his  love  i'nd 
presence.  Think  how  cutting  to  thy  heart,  hov/  grieving  to  thy 
spirit,  if  under  any  vain  indulgence  Jesu^  should  put  this  question. 
Disciple,  lovest  thou  me  more  than  these  vanities  ?  Better  for  Peter 
to  have  been  in  his  Lord's  presence  with  a  cold  body,  than  to  haAG 
been  warming  himself  with  the  high  priest's  oflicers  and  servants  ; 
for  there  he  was  blo^\^l  down  by  the  breath  of  a  damsel. 

It  is  related  of  a  christian,  of  whom  satan  had  taken  possession 
and  greatly  terrified  and  distressed  her  soul,  that  on  his  being  asked, 
how  he  dared  to  enter  into  a  child  of  God  ?  He  replied,- '  I  found  her 
en  my  own  ground,  at  the  play-house  ;  therefore  I  challenge  her  as 
my  servant.*  Whether  the  story  be  true  or  not,  the  moral  is  good. 
Christians  have  no  business  on  tlic  devil's  gronr.d. 

Kot  cartli,  nor  all  the  sky  TIioii  ait  the  sea  of  love 

'■;; r.  ore  delight  afTonl,  AVliei-e  all  my  jileasures  roll, 

,  notadiopof  rcaljt-y  The  circle  mIi  re  my  passior.E move, 

•,.  lihoutthy  presence  LorU.  Au'J  .j-ntae  -  I'mv  miuI. 


152  MAY  19. 

Behold,  the  Lord  God  will  co?ne  with  a  strong  hand,  and 
his  arm  shall  rule  for  him  :  Behold,  his  reward  is  with 
him.  and  his  work  before  him, — Isa.  >:1.  10. 
What  WdS  foretold  in  prophesy,  is  fulfilled  in  the  faith  and 
experience  of  saints.  Plere  are  two  notes  of  attention.  "  Behold ;"  it 
highly  concerns  thee.  Take  special  notice.  When  the  Lord  God, 
our  Immanuel  Jesus,  came  to  his  temple,  he  found  the  beautiful 
building  in  sad  disorder  ;  his  spiritual  worship  iost ;  and  «  his  house 
of  prayer  turned  into  a  den  of  thieves. "  Behold,  with  a  strong  hand 
and  stretchcd-outarm,  with  no  weapon,  but  an  insignificant  scourge 
of  small  cords,  he  drove  the  multitude  from  the  temple.  Amazing 
miracle  I  The  meek  Lamb  is  also  "  the  lion  of  the  tribe  of  Judah.'' 
So  he  came  not  only  with  a  strong  hand,  but  against  the  strong,  as 
some  render  it.  So,  behold,  he  comes  to  take  possession  of  the 
temple  of  his  people's  hearts.  This  temple  he  finds  in  woeful  plight. 
All  the  powers  of  earth  and  hell  are  engaged  against  him.  "  The 
strong  m.an  armed  keeps  possession."  But  precious,  powerful  Jesus, 
casts  out  satan,  enters  by  his  love,  and  rules  by  his  Spirit,  where 
satan  reigned.  But  he  comes  not  by  power  only,  but  by  grace  also  ; 
behold,  he  brings  his  reward  with  him.  The  distressed  soul  h  e 
pardons.  He  clothes  the  naked  soul  with  the  robe  of  his  righteous- 
ness— he  feeds  the  hungry  soul  witli  good  things — he  giveth  his 
flesh  to  eat,  and  his  blood  to  drink.  Then  how  do  their  souls  pant 
after  Jesus  !  how  do  tlicy  hunger  and  thirst  after  righteousness,  luid 
cry,  and  pray,  "  Lord,  increase  our  fiiith,  that  we  may  eat  as  thy 
.friends,  and  drink  larger  draughts,  as  thy  beloved,  and  be  more 
abundantly  satisfied  v/ith  thy  love  I" 

Thus  our  Lord  Christ  rewards  his  people  with  the  fruits  of  liis 
own  toils,  and  the  blessings  of  his  own  finished  work  and  salvation  ; 
even  with  righteousness,  peace,  and  joy  inthe  Holy  Ghost.     But, 

0  Jesu,  cries  the  poor  sinner,  "  What  a  vile,  sinful,  carnal,  earthly- 
minded  wretch  am  I  still  by  nature  I"  Fcai'  not  saith  Jesus,  thou  art 
called  to  look  unto  mc.     Behold,  "  my  work  is  before  me."     Have 

1  vanquished  the  powers  of  death  and  hell  for  thee,  and  can  I  not  con- 
quer sin  in  thee,  and  subdue  thy  flesh  under  thee  ?  Was  his  blood 
the  price  of  thy  soul,  and  the  atonement  of  thy  sins  ?  Then  must 
thou  wait  in  faith  for' the  total  destruction  of  the  last  enemy  sin  and 
dcaih,  at  his  second  coming  ;'  when  in  the  triumph  of  thy  soul  tliou 
shalt  proclaim  the  perfect  victory  of  Jesus,  and  SLiy,  "  Worthy  is  the 
Lamb  that  v/as  slain,"  S'-C.  Ucy.  v.  J  2. 

Jesus,  my  Lord,  is  coY^ic  ;  If^w  precious  is  tJiy  work  ! 

My  hoart  now  !"eels  liis  pov.'er  :  IIow  glorious  thy  reward  ! 

He  rules  by  liis  almighty  arm.  Faith  reaps  thy  spoils,  my  coiuju'ring  love, 

Bless'd  be  the  joyful  houy.  And  glories  in  thj'  word.                  M, ' 


MAY  20.  15S 

My  son,  give  me  thine  hi  art. — Prov.  xxlii.  2G. 

Many  are  the  conipciitoib  lor  the  heart  of  man.  Though  our 
dear  Lt:  er  and  bfcst  friend,  lovuigly  calls  fur  the  free-will  offering 
of  this  precious  jewel,  yet  we  are  foolislily  inclined  to  give  it  to  our 
worst  enemies.  This  pleasing  world,  with  all  its  gay  scenes  of  hap- 
piness  and  joy,  attracts  our  affections,  enchants  our  minds,  and  be- 
witches our  senses  ;  so  that  we  love  it  dearly,  devote  our  hearts  to  it 
cheerfully,  and  dread  the  very  tlioughts  of  leaving  it  greatly. 

"  Thou  shalt  have  no  otiier  gods  but  me,"  saith  Jehovah.  We 
own  the  duty,  and  decry  tlie  wickedness  of  worshipping  an  idol ; 
though  all  the  while  we  are.  serving  the  god  of  this  world:  he  blinds 
our  eyes,  and  we  see  it  not.  The  grace  of  God,  though  sovereign  hi 
its  operations,  yet  acts  not  by  force  and  compulsion  as  upon  mere 
machines,  destroying  the  will,  and  dragging  men  to  heaven  by  the  hair 
of  the  head,  as  some  in  contempt  please  to  assert.  No  ;  the  service 
cf  our  Lord  is  perfect  freedom.  He  loves  a  cheerful  giver.  Glory  tci 
his  grace,  ''he  opens  the  eyes  of  our  undersvunding,  to  knov.  what  is 
thchope  of  his  calling, and  what  are  the  riches  of  his  glory,"  Eph.  i.  1 3. 
Then  we  see  Jesus  is  our  portion,  and  treasure,  then  we  willingly 
and  cheerfully  devote  our  hearts  to  him.  '  Is  the  miser's  gold  his 
god  ?  does  it  captivate  his  heart  and  affections  ?  why  so  ?  Because  he 
sees  that  in  it  which  suits  his  disposition,  and  excites  his  pleasure. 
So  it  is  of  every  other  idol  suited  to  nature  snd  sense.  «  Where  the 
treasure  is,  tliere  will  the  heart  be  also."  Spiritual  affections  can 
only  be  happy  for  spiritual  objects.  The  heart  can  only  be  h.-.-^^uy 
\n  God,  cheeerfully  given  up  to  him  in  faith  ai.d  love.  This  is  the 
very  essence  of  vitiil  godliness. 

Our  Father  invites  us  to  spiritual  joys.  <■  I  know,  my  children, 
in  our  present  state,  clothed  with  flesh,  you  have  many  lovers 
which -would  rival  me  in  your  affections,  but  cheerfully  devote  vour 
heart  to  me.  .  Let  your  eyes  be  upon  my  ways.  Consider  my  love  to 
you.  I  gave  my  beloved  son  to  die  for  you.  My  spirit  hath  called 
you  to  enjoy  my  love.  It  is  my  good  pleasure  to  give  you  a  kir.jrdom  : 
therefore,  in  love  my  glory,  and  for  your  comfort,  I  demand  your 
heart  as  a  free-will  offering.'  O  where  is  the  faithful,  greatfiil  soul 
but  in  ecstacy  of  love  will  cry  out.  Give,  Lord,  the  power  to  do  what 
tliou  commandest,  and  conmiund  wliat  thou  will  ? 

My  heart  dost  llion  deinaii(!,  my  Lord,  When  s.itan  tempts  and  .si,  s  allure  :• 

A  vi. ling  sacrifice  to  tliec  ?  From  thee,  to  draw  nwav  n>\  hturt  : 

O  'nkc  and  keep  m  ev'ry  hour  Strfiij:  1;   thy  ^r.u-c,  iniikc  nir  eiiilitrc. 

From  every  bold  usurper  free,  \iid  never  I'l  oin  \],\  selfdi  part.  M . 


154  MAY  2X. 

But  he  givcth  more  grace  — James  iv.  6. 

It  is  a  sure  mark  that  the  true  grace  of  God,  by  Jesus  Christ, 
is  conceived  in  the  heart,  when  the  cry  of  the  soul  is  for  more  grace. 
Thus  there  is  an  liarmony  between  the  Father's  promises  and  the 
children's  wants.  God  givclh  more  grace  :  I  daily  need  more,  saith 
the  sensible  soul.  "  He  that  drinketh  of  the  water  of  life,  saith  Jesus, 
shall  never  thirst  again  :"  he  shall  never  thirst  after  any  otlicr  foun- 
tain ;  he  shall  seek  to  no  other  spring  but  me.  There  is  no  grace, 
favor  or  good  will  from  God  to  sinners,  but  what  is  by  Jesus,  through 
hiizi,  in  him,  and  connmunicatcd  from  him.  Here  is  the  believer's 
mercy  ;  he  has  not  a  stock  of  grace,  stored  up  in  his  own  heart  to 
live  upon,  which  may  be  expended,  and  he  is  at  last  lost  for  want  of 
more.  No.  But  all  the  kindness  and  love  of  God  towards  him  is 
treasured  up  in  Jesus.  Here  is  the  humility  of  believers  ;  they 
come,  like  Joseph's  brethrcjj,  to  Jesus,  who  is  their  elder  brother,  for 
every  supply ;  out  of  his  fulness  they  receive  grace  upon  grace.  Jesus 
is  an  exliaustablQ  store-house,  therefore  his  members  cannot  want. 
God  the  Father  gave  them  grace  at  first  in  Christ  Jesus;  he  called 
them  by  his  sovereign  grace  ;  lie  justified  them  fully  by  grace  ; 
Ire  saves  them  daily  by  grace  ;  he  sanctifies  them  freely  by  grace;  he 
comforts  them  continually  by  his  grace  ;  and  he  will  glorify  them 
according  to  the  exceeding  riches  of  his  grace.  Thus  all  is  of  grace, 
freely  given  to,  and  richly  bestowed  upon  poor,  vile,  undeserving 
sinners. 

I  know  there  arc  these  reasonings  in  every  humble  sinner's  heart, 
'  What  suitable  returns  do  I  make  ?  or  what  reward  shall  I  give  unto 
the  Lord  for  all  his  blessings  of  grace  ?  O  what  a  poor  unloving,  un- 
grateful wretch  am  I  I  how  do  I  requite  the  Lord  my  God  !'  Such 
is  the  genuine  languoge  of  gracious  hearts.  The  abounding  of 
grace  make  sinners  humble,  self  hateful,  and  sin  abominuiblc  :  "  Not 
i?.ther  as  v/ebe  slandcrourjjy  reported,  and  as  some  aflirm  that  wc 
say,  Let  us  do  evil  that  good  may  coine, -whose  damnation  is  just," 
Horn.  iii.  8.'  If  God  givcth  "more  grace,"  tlien  not  one  of  his 
children  that  ever  had  a  single  spark  of  the  grace  of  Jesus,  shall 
ever  go  to  hell  for  want  of  grace.  It  is  equally- as  impossible,  that 
a  gracious  soul  should  fall  from  God's  love  and  grace,  turn  hater  of 
him  ;  and  so  be  a  p>-cy -to  the  devil,  as  it  was  for  Lazurus  to  (juit 
Abr.iham's  bosom,  for  the  fliimes  of  lieil.  The  holy  fire  of  grace 
I)eing  once  kindled  in  the  soul,  never  goe^  out.  The  lire  of  the  altar 
was  an  emblem  of  this.  It  is  as  true  in  this  respect  of  gracious 
souls,  as  it  is  of  the  wicked  in  another,  "  thc.ir  fire  never  goes  out."' 
"Why  not?  because  <■' grace  reigns  through  riglitcousuess  uiUo  eter- 
nal life,"  Rom.  v.  21. 


MAY  22.  155 

Fearfulness  and  trembling  are  covie  upon  me^  and  horror 
hath  overwhelmed  me. — Poalm  Iv.  5. 

Such  was  th'e  mournful  complaint  of  David  ;  yea  of  Jesus  too, 
the  root  and  offspring  of  Duvid.  "  Lo,  all  honor  of  great  darkness 
fell  upon  Abi-Jiani  the  Vatfier  of  tJie  faithful,"  Gen.  xv.  12,  So  the 
l^rd  suffers  his  dearest  children  to  be  distressed  ;  yet  it  is  their  priv- 
ilege, and  iliey  are  again  and  aguij>  exhorted  to  "  rejoice  in  tlie  Lord 
alway,"  Phil.  iv.  4.  Under  such  frames,  let  not  disciples  entertain 
hard  thoughts  of  the  God  of  love  ;  but  ever  remember  they  are 
heightened  by  our  adversary.  Least  of  all  should  humble  followers  ' 
-of  tlie  Lamb  judge  tliemselvcs  not  to  be  true  converts,  becatise  they 
have  not  experienced  such  dre:.dful  icrrors  of  hell  and  damnation  in 
their  conscience,  as  some  talk  cf.  .  ' 

It  is  an  unscriptural  notion  ;  the  woid  of  God  lays  down  no  such 
rule, that  the  soul  must  be  uiider  suchdetpconviclious  of  horror,must 
be  as  it  were  shook  over  tl:e  very  moutla  of  hell,  as  a  mark  of  true  con- 
version to  Jesus-     Innumerable  axe  the  instances  of  persons  crying 
out  under  dreadful  terrors  of  t.  rath  and  damnation,  as  though  hell 
itself  was  let  loose  upon  them  for  a  season  ;  but  yet  after  all,  being 
still  unclean  and  filtliy,  "  like  the  dog  to  his  vomit,  and  the  sow  to 
her  wallowing  in  the  mire,"  they  have  turned  back  to  tlieir  old  courses. 
Thanks  to  the  loving  Spirit,  he  dotli  convince  of  sin,  not  as  a  tor- 
mentor, merely  to  terrify  with  wrath  and  heil,  but  as  a  comfortery 
•'J  testify  of  Jesus  and  salvation.     He  opens  the  eyes  of  our  under- 
standing, to  see  our  lost  state  and  wretched  condition,  and  he  gives 
uo  to  see  "  the  hope  of  our  calling,"  &c.  Eph.  i.  18.   "  And  the  fruits 
of  the  Spirit  are  love,  peace,  joy,"  &c.  Gal.  v.  22.     He  works  effec- 
tually.    He  teaches  us  by  the  law  to  despi^ir  in  nature  and  self,  and 
revives  and  comforts  \\\\\\  hope  and  assurance  of  full  and  perfect  sal- 
vation in  Jesus.     But  while  the  spirit  of  truth  sovrs  the  good  seed  of 
the  kingdom  in  the  heart,  satan  sows  tares  to  spi  ir.g  up  and  choke  if. 
He  works  upon  our  unbelief,  practises  his  deviiish  art  upon  our  car- 
nal reason,  and  suggests,  that  God  is  an  implacable  enemy  ;  tlie  meek 
Lamb  is  a  devouring  lion  ;  the  gospel  is  a  cunningly  devised  fuble,  or 
requires  such  hard  terms,  which  Ave  can  never  fulfil  >  therefore  mis- 
ery, wrath,  and  hell  must  be  our  doom.     He  is  ever  an  implacable 
adversar}'  to  salvation  by  Jesus,  tlirough  sovereign  love  and  distin- 
guishing grfice.     Such  terrors  are  to  be  prayed  against  r;^ther  tlian 
coveted.     David  knew  whence  they  came  ;  says  he,  "  Because  of  the 
voice  of  the  enemy  and  the  oppression  of  tlie  wicked  one,"  verse  3. 
Praised  be  our  dear  Lord  for  that  precious  promise,  «  When  the  en- 
emy shall  come  in  like  a  flood,  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  shall  lift  up  a 
/rjidard  against  hrm,"  and  put  him  to  flight,  Isa.  Ijx.  1&. 


156  MAY  23. 

The  Lord  God  is  a  sun  and  shield :  the  Lord  will  give 
m'oce  and  [(lorij  :  no  good  thing  will  he  withhold  from 
them  that  walk  uprightly,— Y*si\\m  ixxxiv;  11. 

Vulgar  minds  hiivc  bui  very  contracted  ideas  of  the  magnitude 
of  that  glorious  luminary,  the  sun.  The  most  knowing  of  the  children 
of  men,  form  but  very  inadequate  notions  of  the  nature  and  properties 
of  that  grand  source  of  light  and  heat.  We  daily  see  his  power  and 
feel  his  influence.  This  he  incessantly  sheds  upon  the  whole  creation 
freely.  How  vain  and  arrogant  would  he  be  deemed,  who  should 
pretend  he  could  procure  the  chearing  light  and  comforting  warmth 
of  the  sun  !  Dwells  there,  in  the  breast-of  man,  a  thought,  that  he 
can  procure  the  light  of  grace  ;  or  by  his  doings  entitle  himself  to  the 
comforts  of  salvation  from  Jehovah  ?  Yes  :  so  vain,  so  arrogant  is 
that  vile  worm,  that  weak  creature,  proud,  fallen  man.  By  sin, 
how  stript  of  all  but  shame  !  by  pride,  he  "  opposeth  and  exalteth 
himself  above  all  that  is  called  God,"  2  Thess.  ii.  4.  But  grace, 
like  the  streaming  light  of  the  sun,  freely  and  powerfully  sheds  its 
benign,  humbling,  comforting  influence  upon  the  ungodly  and  un- 
worthy. So  the  Lord  enlightens  and  renews  the  soul  of  man  ;  makes 
it  fruitful  to  his  glory  ;  and  widi  his  almighty  arm  shields  and  defends 
the  new-born,  heavenly  replenished  soul,  from  the  violent  attacks  of 
every  foe.     Grace  as  well  as  glory  are  God's  free  gifts. 

Children  of  God,  members  of  Jesus,  how  safe  !  salvation,  how 
secure  !  For  it  is  all  of  rich  grace,  free  favor,  unmerited  love,  uncon- 
ditional election  ;  not  earned  by  any  doings  of  ours,  but  freely  given 
by  promise.  Glory,  not  procured  by  conditions,  but  freely  bestowed 
through  Jesus.  See  thy  portion,  believer — read  it  with  joy — dwell  on 
it  with  triumph.  Here  is  a  redundancy  of  promises  ;  what  tlie  Lord  is 
— .what  the  Lord  vvill  give,  will  give  it  freely,  «  without  money  and 
without  price,"  all  tilings,  every  thing  for  his  own  glory,  and  his  chil- 
dren's good.  liOvc  overflows  all  bounds ;  gives  the  fullest  vent  to  its 
gracious  disposition.  No  good  thing  will  the  Lord  withhold.  From 
whom,?  See  the  character  of  those,  upon  whom  the  sun  of  grace  hath 
shined.  Is  it  thine  ?  They  arc  not  in  angelic  purity,  or  sinless  peifec- 
lion  ;  but  upright,-sinccre  in  heart  with  Jesus,  chaste  virgins?  married 
(o  him  in  faith  and  love,  they  see  that  he  is  all  in  all  to  them  "  their 
v/isdom,  righteousness',  sanctification,  and  redemption."  They  choose 
him  ^  their  only  king  to  reign  in  tlicm  and  rule  over  them  in  love  ; 
delight  in  his  work  and  v/ay,  grieve  for,  strive  and  pray  against  all  that 
is  contrary  to  him.  Of  their  sins  they  are  ashamed — in  their  own 
>ighteousness  tliey  have,  no  confidence.  In  Jesus  their  bridegroom 
they  glory.  It  is  truly  Said  of  litem,  "  The  uprigiit  love  Uice," 
Cant.  i.  4.  ~ 


MAY  24.  157 

The  Father  himself  loveth  you. — John  xvi.  27. 

The  Jiistory  of  the  life  of  sorrows,  aiul  death  of  shame,  curse 
and  agony,  which  Ji;sus  sustained  for  sinners,  was  it  believed  perfectly 
in  the  heart,  would  fdl,the  mind  with  the  strongest  affection,  and 
inflame  the  soul  with  the  most  fervent  love.  But  alas  !  all  have 
.  reason  to  complain  for  v.ant  of  greater  love  to  Christ,  and  stronger 
faith  in  him.  O  unbelief,  what  an  enemy  to  love  I  Our  love  keeps 
pace  witli  our  faitli.  As  the  one  grows  stronger,  the  Other  increaseth. 
But  if  faith  grows  weak,  love  declines.  Yet  no  one  poor  sinner  that 
believes  the  record  of  Jesus'  iove  taxi  salvation,  as  his  only  hope  and 
confidence,  but  love,  in  some  degree,  is  drawn  out  to  Jc^ius  ;  for  "faith 
workcth  by  love."  The  soul  in  its  first  love,  and  for  a  season  perhaps, 
sees  and  knows  only  the  love  of  Christ,  and  thinks  little  about  the 
"  love  of  tlie  Father."  It  may  be,  he  considers,  that  what  the  Saviour 
did  and  suficred  for  sinners,  was  to  procure  the  love  of  the  Father  to 
them,  and  to  appease  the  fury  of  his  wrath  against  them.  But  this  is 
not  right.  Let  no  disciple  think  so.  For,  saith  the  Saviour,  "  The 
Fatlicr  himself  loveth  you."  A'ea  he  teacheth  us  the  love  of  the 
Father,  as  the  only  source  and  spring  of  his  coming  in  the  flesh  to 
save  us — for  "  God  so  loved  the  world,  that  he  gave  his  only  begotten 
Son,  to  the  end,  that  whosoever  believeth  in  him  should  not  perish, 
but  have  everlasting  life,"  John  iii.  1 6. 

Hence  it  is  plain,  God  the  Father  loves  sinners — loves  them  inex- 
pressibly— with  the  greatest  affection.  For  he  gave,  w}\o  ?  an  angel  ? 
an  archangel  ?  myriads  of  the  heavenly  host  ?  No  ?  but  one  infinitely 
more  dear  to  him,  his  Son,  his  only  begotten,  his  dearly  beloved  Son, 
who  lay  in  his  bosom  from  all  eternity,  that  wc  might  "  believe  oft 
him,  and  live  in  him.''  So,  the  effect  proves  the  cause.  It  is  plain  the 
love  of  the  Father  to  his  people,  is  prior  to  the  Son's  coming  into  the. 
world  to  save  them,  or  to  their  belief  on  Jesus.  For,  says  our  Lord, 
"  No  man  can  come  unto  me,  except  the  Father  draw  him,"  John 
vi.  44.  And  because  the  Fathef  "  hatli  loved  us  with  an  everlasting 
love,  therefore  with  loving  kindness  he  drawls  to  Jesuu."  "  Behold, 
(O  ye  followers  of  the  Lamb)  what  manner  of  love  the  Father  hath 
bestowed  upon  us,"  1  John  iii.  1.  Trace  his  love  to  the  fountain- 
head.  The  holy-  spirit  of  truth  teacheth,  that  "  God  the  Father  of  our 
I^ord  Jesus  Christ  hath  chosen  us  m  him  before  the  foundation  o,£ 
the  world,  and  hath  blessed  us  with  all  spiritual  blessings  in  Christ 
Jesus,  and  hath  predestinated  us  to  the  adoption  of  children  by  Jesus 
Christ  to  himself."  To  what  end  is  this  ?  even  "  to  the  praise  of  the 
glory  of  his  grace,  wherein  he  hath  made  us  accepted  in  tlic  bc= 
loved,"  Eph.  i.  6,  &c. 

X'OL.  I.  C 


158  MAY  25.- 

/  knew  a  man  in  Christ  ahove  fourteen  years  ago^  such  an 
one  caught  up  to  the  third  heaven  — i  Cor.  xii.  2. 

Visions,  manifestations,  raptures  and  ecstacies  of  soul,  though 
even  from  God  himself,  (which  there  is  every  good  reason  to  suspect, 
unless  they  sink  the  soul  in  humility,  and  excite  such  love  to  Jesus 
as  is  founded  in  knowledge  and  productive  of  obedience),  are  not  to 
be  glorified  of.  St.  Paul  says,  it  is  not  expedient  for  me  to  glory.  I 
know  the  danger,  I  fear  the  evil  of  it ;  from  the  pride  and  treachery 
of  my  nature.  It  tends  to  exalt  one  above  measure  ;  and  to  make 
others  tliink  more  highly  of  one  than  they  ought  to  think.  Therefore, 
on  these  accounts  glorying  of  these  things  is  to  be  avoided.  Indeed 
the  cause  of  truth  may  require  it,  and  the  glory  of  God  may  be  pro- 
moted by  it.  Though  on  these  accounts  it  may  be  expedient  to  glory; 
yet  it  is  not  expedient  fw  the  christian's  own  sake  to  do  it.  So  Paul 
declared.     Yet  he  did  glory  ;  for  necessity  compelled  him. 

Behold,  admire,  and  imitate  the  humility  of  this  great  apostle,  <'  I 
knew  a  man  in  Christ,"  Ecc.     When  he  speaks  of  himself,  it  is  as  a 
poor  sinner,  under  the  most  humbling,  self-abased  views.  Then  it  is 
/  mysc/f- — Rom.  vii.     But  here,  lest  ostentation  should  appear,  he 
conceals  himself  under  the  character  of  another  man.     What  a  con- 
trast is  here  betv. een  self-exalting  piinciples  and  the  grace  of  the 
gospel  I  How  widely  diflercnt  is  this  from  the  notions  manyprofessors 
entertain  !  For  if  they  can  but  give  a    tolerable  account  of  some 
vision,  revelation  or  manifestation,  which  tliey  suppose  was  from 
God,  they  conclude  they  know  their  sins  are  forgiven,  and  all  is  well. 
Perhaps  this  might  pass  on  them  fourteen  years  agO)  more  or  less. 
But  what  is  their  frame  and  temper  now  ?  what  their  pursuit  and 
practice?  If  no  evidence  of  faith,  hope,  love  and  obedience,  but  if 
while  sunk  into  carnality  and  the  love  of  the  world,  yet  strong  in 
confidence  that  their  sins  are  forgiven,  and  bold  in  hope  of  the  safety 
of  their  state  ;  surely  such  are  blinded  to  the  hope  of  the  gospel, 
through  the  spirit  of  this  world.     Satan  transforms  him,    from  a 
minister  of  darkness,  into  an  angel  of  light.     I.uthcr  was  wont  to 
caution  against  the  white  devil,  as  well  as  the  black  one.     St.  John's 
advice  is  ever  needful,  "  Beloved,  believe  not  every  spirit,  but  tiy 
the  spirits,  whether  they  are  of  God  :  becau::c  many  ftdsc  prophets 
are  gone  out  into  the  world,"  1  John  iv.  1. 

t'aitli  in  heart  true  comfort  brings,  Tlicn  ■ttlillc  by  fallli  T  Jesus  knoM-, 

ft  makes  and  keeps  it  humble  loo.  And  peace  and  love  and  joy  do  spring : 

Christian  C7:pcrience  ne'er  exalts.  Of  Christ  alone.  111  ^lory  now, 

Kut  {jivcs  to  Christ  his  glory  dnc.  ^'^oti.clf,  but.  Chribt,  I'll  speak  and  sing-.  M. 


MAY  26.  159 

Me  that  eateth  my  flesh,  and  drinketh  my  bloody  divclleth 
in  me,  and  1  in  him. — John  vi.  S^. 

This-  is  a  s^reat  mystery,  but  it  is  a  comforting  truth  in  the 
experience  of  Christ's  members.  Our  Saviour  saith,  "  It  is  my  meat 
to  do  the  will  of  him  tliut  sent  me."  So  it  is  the  believer's  privilej;e  to 
feed  by  faith  on  him  that  is  sent,  even  the  flesh  and  blood  of  Jesus  : 
the  man  «  like  unto  ourselves  in  all  things."  But  his  flesh  is  pure 
and  holy,  his  blood  immaculate  and  untainted,  without  sin  :"  thcie- 
fore  healthful  for  tlie  soul  to  feed  upon,  and  to  be  nourished  up  to 
eternal  life.  For  consider,  soul,  "  Christ  suffered  in  the  flesh"  ^'.1 
the  fiery  wrath  and  dreadful  curses  of  God's  pure  and  holy  law, 
whichjwe  deserved,  because  transp^ressors.  Christ,  in  his  flesh,  per- 
fectly fulfilled  all  the  demands  of  God's  righteous  law^  and  so  wrought 
out  a  righteousness  for  us,  who  have  no  righteousness  of  our  own. 
"  In  the  body  of  his  flesh  ho  hath  reconciled  us  who  were  aliens  and 
enemies  to  God  ;  and  in  the  body  of  his  flesh,  through  death,  he 
presents  us  unto  God,  holy,  unblameable,  and  unreprov<?able' in  his 
sight,"  Col.  i.  21,  22.  Surely  then  the  flesh  of  Jesus  "is  meat  in- 
deed." The  richest  repast,  the  most  delicious  banquet  for  poor 
sinners. 

Christ's  ^'  blood  is  drink  indeed."  Most  precious  in  its  nature  ; 
most  reviving  to  the  thirsty  soul.  O  believer  I  the  blood  of  tl^iis  God- 
Man  was  shed  for  thy  sins  ;  it  hath  fully  atoned  divine  justice  for 
them  ;  and  "  you,  who  were  sometime  afar  off",  are  now  mude  nigh 
to  God  by  the  blood  of  Jesus,"  Eph.  ii.  13.  "  By  his  blood  peace 
is  made  with  God,"  Col.  i.  20.  «  And  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ 
deanseth  from  all  sin,"  1  John  i.  7.  Thus  is  Christ's  flesh  and 
blood  the  life  of  the  soul.  Hear  the  triumphant  song  of  the  saints 
in  glory.  ''  Jesus  hath  loved  us,  and  washed  us  from  our  sins  in  his 
o^vn  blood,"  Rev.  i.  5.  Their  confession  of  victory  over  sat.vii  tiie 
accuser  of  their  souls  is  "  by  the  blood  of  the  Lamb."  What  is  now 
their  glory  and  triumph  above,  was  once  the  food  of  their  souls  while 
poor  sinners  here  below.  For  in  every  age,  believers  did  all  "eat 
of  the  same  spiritual  meat,  and  drink  of  the  same  spiritual  drink, 
tlic  flesh  and  blood  of  Christ,"  1  Cor.  x.  3,  4. 

This  food  strengthens  man's  heart.  This  drink  makes  him  of  a 
'^hecrful  count<?nance.  "  He  dwelleth  in  me,"  saith  Christ,  by  a 
secret  mystical  union.  So  saith  the  Psalmist,  "Lord,  thou  hast  been 
our  dwelling-place  in  tdl  ages;"  "and  I  in  him,"  by  sweet  riiarii- 
fcslation,  knowledge  and  comfort,  by  fJth.  Inestimable  blessing  ! 
glorious  privilege,  thus  to  receive,  thus  to  feed  upon  Christ  in  the 
heart  by  faith  !  For,  saith  Christ,  "  He  that  eateth  me,  shall  live  by 
me;  he  hath  eternal  life."  Such  are  Christ's  sweet  words  and  hearty- 
welcome  to  his  church;  cat,  O  friends!  drink,  O  beloved  1  "  Eat  tliy 
feread  with  joy,  and  drink  thy  wine  ^vith  a  jnerry  Jieart,"  Eccl.  va.  7. 


IGO  MAY  27. 

These  fhuifrs  have  I  written  unto  you,  that  believe  on  the 
7iame  of  the  Son  oj"  God ;  that  ye  may  know  that  ye 
have  eternal  life,  and  that  ye  may  believe  on  the  name 
of  the  Son  of  God. — 1  John  v.  13. 

Little   BeMJiiniin  was  as  dear  to  his  father  Jacob  as  his  elder 
brethren.     The  child  Samuel  was  as  truly  a  priest  to  the  Lord  us  old 
Eli.  ■  So  the  feeblest  lamb  m.  the  flock  of  Jesus,  though  ever  so  weak 
in  faith  and  knowledge,  yet  is  equally  dear  to  the  Father  as  the 
strongest  believer — loved  with    the  same    everlasting  love — alike 
interested  in  the  salvation  of  Jesus— .and  as  certainly  an  heir  of 
eternal  life.     Many  weak  children  are  ready  ta  own  this  ;  but  they 
doubt  in  their  minds,  and  suspect  in  their  hearts,  not  happily  know- 
ing, nor  being  comfortably  assured  of  their  own  interest  in  the   sal- 
vation of  Jesus.  There  were  such  in  the  apostle's  days;  therefore  the 
comforter  inspires  the  beloved  John  to  write  to  them.  He  condescends 
to  their  weakness  of  knowledge  and  comfort,  because  of  the   small 
degree  of  their  ftdth  ;  but  yet  he  speaks  with  the  strongest  assurance 
and  the  boldest  confidence  of  the  truth  of  salvation  by  Jesus.     That 
is  most  certain.     Eternal  life  is  by  Jesus  only  ;  and  is  sure  to  every 
member  of  his.  Do  you  believe  on  the  name  of  the  Son  of  God,  as  the 
only  Saviour  of  lost  sinners  ?  This  truth  lies  as  the  foundation  of  the 
hope  of  the  gospel :  when  this  is  believed  in  the  heart,  that  soul  has 
the  earnest  of  eternal  life.     By  continuing  to  believe,  it  gains  know- 
ledge and  assurance,  as  the  comforts  of  faith.     Vv^'hen  the  Spirit  has 
bestowed  the  precious  gift  of  faith,  it  matters  not,  as  to  the   safety 
of  the  soul,  hov/  weak  soever  it  may  be  in  the  experience  of  comfort 
and  joy;  nor  hovv^  much  it  may  feel  the  workings  of  carnal  nature, 
rc.ison,  and  unbelief  against  fuith.  Its  sensible  groanhigs  and  sorrow- 
ful complaints  are  evidences  of  the  life  of  the  soul,  through  the  faith 
of  Jesus.     But  is  the  poor  soul  always  to  abide  in  tliis  weak,  low, 
mourning  state  ?  No  ;  that  cannot  be.     Jesus  will  make  his  members 
comfortable,  as  well  as  safe.  The  Spirit  who  begets  faith  in  the  heart 
by  the  word,  .strengthens  it  also  by  the  san^e  truth.     Faith  conies  by 
hearing  the  v/ord,  and  it  is  also  increased  thereby.  Therefore  is  Jesus 
and  eternal  life  revealed.     T!ie  apostles  wrote  of  this,  and  ministers 
preach  of  this,  that  weak  faith  may  be  strengthened,  strong  faith 
increased— that  knowledge  and  assurance  maybe  comfortably  en- 
joyed— that  believers  may  continue  to  believe,    and  persevere   in 
believing  on  the  Son  of  God  ;  who  is  ."  the  author  and  finisher  of  our 
faith,"  Heb.  :Lii.  3. 

J  f^-iii<!,  tJiou  author  of  my  faitli,  TUcrimllife  is  s;irc  to  fnhli, 

Tiion  aiitliftrofelornallirc,  O  innv  I  knoM' 'llssurc  to  me, 

Assure  inc  that  I  rio  liclitvc,  That  I  may  love  thee  more  mid  more, 

fit  j.ut  an  ci>d  to  doubtliii  itrile.  A^  Itilst  laitli.  and  hope  ^i-ov.-  strons  in  »he'e. 

..     _•_._: .     _3kL 


'      MAY  28.  16X 

In  the  Lord  have  I  righteousness  and  strength.-\.s2i.y\\  ,2^, 

To  trust  in.  our  own  riglitcousncss,  and  to  glory  in  our  own 
strength,  is  natural  to  us  all.  But  when  a  poor  sinner  "  knows  him- 
self, even  as  he  is  known  of  the  Lord,"  he  thinks  otherwise.  When 
he  becomes  a  follower  of  the  L..nib.  he  learns  the  language  of 
Canaan,  and  says,  "  I  have  no  confidence  in  the  flesh. '*^  I  subscribe 
%vith  my  whole  heart  to  this  confession  of  faith,  "  In  the  Lord  have 
I  righteousness  and  strength."  That  tl;c  Lord  Jehovah  is  a  God  of 
righteousness,  and  that  he  is  almighty  in  strength,  who  will  dare 
deny  ?  But  by  faith  we  speak  the  most  comfortable  knowledge  of 
covenant  grace  :  I,  a  poor  sinner,  who  am  without  strength,  destitute 
of  righteousness  in  myself,  have  both  strength  and  righteousness  in 
Jehovah.  What  I  am,  a  sinner  by  nature  and  practice,  that  Jesus 
become  by  imputation.  What  Jesus  is  in  his  nature,  and  by  his  life, 
perfectly  rightpous,  that  I  am  in  him.  In  myself  I  have  no  might, 
no  strength,  but  "  in  the  Lord  Jesus  am  I  strong,  strong  in  him, 
luid  in  the  power  of  his  might." 

This  is  tlie  glorious  grace,  the  joyful  truth  of  the  everlasting  cove- 
nant. Such  honor  have  all  the  saints  of  Jesus:  his  perfect  righteous- 
ness their  cloathivig  ;  his  almighty  strength  their  protection.  Who 
then  sliall  condemn  them  ?  Whi.t  power  can  prevail  against  them  ? 
O  believer  !  rejoice  in  thy  privilege.  This  is  thy  triumph  against 
every  accusation,  "  In  Jesus  I  have  righteousness."  Tiiis  is  my  vic- 
tory over  every  enemy,  "  In  Jesus  I  have  strength."     Under  the 

most  discouraging  views  of  my  nature,  as  corrupt  and  sinful my 

life  and  practice,  as  unrighteous — the  condemiilngs  of  the  law, 
tliough  just — the  accusation  of  satan,  though  grievous — yet  in  my 
glorious  covenant  head  and  reprcseiftative,  I  am  "  made  the  righ- 
teousness of  God  ;  in  the  beloved  Son  of  God  I  am  for  ever  ac- 
cepted." Under  the  most  dejecting  sense  of  our  own  weakness,  to 
withstand  corruptions,  to  get  the  mastery  over  sinful  passions,  to 
prevail  against  our  enemies ;  though  weak  to  perfonn  any  duty, 
insufiicient  to  exercise  any  grace,  unable  to  do  the  will  of  God,  to 
walk  in  his  ways,  and  to  please  him  ;  yet  ever,  under  all  circum- 
stances, the  Spirit  testifies  of  Jesus,  "  who  is  our  strength  and  ligh- 
teousness."  All  fulness  is  in  Jesus  ;  and  "  out  of  his  luliicss  wc 
receive  grace  for  grace  :"  Though  "  without  Christ  v/c  'can  do 
nidhing ;  yet,  through  Clirist  strengthening  us,  we  can  cto  all 
things."  Here  is  the  mystery  of  faitli.  "  Abide  in  me,"  saith  the 
L:.mb. 

I'onr helpless  vorms  in  tliec  possess  I.ct  f:iith  ami  love  ahvajs  eoir.M.'-.c, 

Grace,  wisdom,  pow'r,  and  righteousness;  To  cause  this  precious  truth  tosliine. 
Thou  art  our  mi-hty  all,  and  we  Wc  sinucr>po..!-,  ai.(!  fuUfif  i.eid, 

Glpry,  O  Lord,  only  in  thee.  Have  .ill  tiiing;,  iuourg'onoos  uiiAD.  M. 


162  MAY  29. 

By  grace  ye  are  saved. — Eph.  ii.  5. 

O  THOU  man  of  God,  "let  not  this  truth  forsake  thee  ;  bind  it 
about  thy  neck,  write  it  upon  the  table  of  thine  heart ;  it  shall  be  health 
to  thy  navel,  and  marrow  to  thy  bones,"  Prov.  iii.  3,  8.  In  the  fuith 
of  this,  thou  wilt  live  in  love  and  graitude  to  God,  in  cheerful  obedi- 
ence to  his  sovereign  v.  ill,  and  in  confident  hope  and  earnest  ex- 
pectation of  etenial  glory.  While  thou  wilt  be  daily  dying  to  every 
carn^  hope  and  legal  confidence,  by  tlie  atonem.ent  and  righteous- 
ness of  Jesus,  his  grace  will  be  all  thy  plea,  all  thy  hope,  and  ail  thy 
glorying.  Hereby  thou  will  be  kept  humble,  and  walk  safely.  That 
*'  the  foot  of  pride  prevail  not  agahist  thee,"  is  a  happy  p<.a't  of  this 
glorious  salvation,  so  as  to  submit  to  receive  it  as  eniireiy  of  grace, 
free  favor,  unconditional  election,  unmerited  love,  "  according  to  the 
good  pleasure  of  the  will  of  God  the  Father,"  Eph.  i.  5.  It  is 
sovereign  grace,  therefore  sure  and  saving  to  all  the  spiritual  seed 
of  Jesus.  All  in  our  nature  are  averse  to  it.  Nothing  in  us  could 
deserve  a  right  to  it,  or  procure  a  title  in  it.  It  is  freely  proclaimed 
to  the  wretched  and  hell  deserving,  who  have  neither  power  nor 
inclination  to  perform  any  terms  and  conditions  to  obtain  an  interest 
in  it.  But  the  Lord's  hand  laid  the  foundation  ;  his  power  will  raise 
the  superstructure;  «  He  wiU  bring  forth  the  head-stone  thereof 
with  shoutings  oi grace,  grace,"  Zech.  iv.  7. 

Salvation  is  by  cji'itinguishing  grace.  "  One  shall  be  taken 
wul  another  left ;"  "  One  of  a  city  and  two  of  a  family,"  Jer.  iii.  1 4 — 
whomsoever  the  Lord  is  pleased  to  separate  to  himself  as  vessels  of 
honor.  The  eficcts  of  saving  grace  are  distinguishing  ;  it  works 
cfrcctually  in  them  that  believe :  "  They  are  called  with  an  holy 
calling" — possess  tlie  faith  of  God's  elect — experience  repentance 
to  salvation.  They  diffei"  from  their  former  selves  in  hope  and 
conduct,  and  are  distinguished  also  from  the  world,  "that  lies  in 
Vi'ickedness."  Under  its  sovereign  influence  such  a  change  was 
wrought  in  Piiul,  that  he,  "  who  persecuted  Jesus  and  his  members, 
preached  the  fuith  he  once  destroyed,"  Gal.j.  23.  So  every  subject 
of  grace  is  changed  in  judgment  and  afTcclion.  -He  no  longer  thinks 
grace  is  to  assist  him  to  do  somethhig  to  gain  acceptance  with  God  ; 
but  he  knov/s  "  God  hath  made  us  excepted  in  the  beloved,  to  tlic 
praise  of  the  glory  of  his  grace,".  Eph.  i.  6.  Honce  iiis  aflottions 
are  pkiCed  upon  the  God  of  all  grace,  as  his  center  of  all  happhicss 
and  source  of  all  felicity.  He  delights  "  to  run  the  way  of  (»od's 
commandments."  It  is  his  joy  tliat  Jesus  flics  upon  the  wings  of 
the  wind  to  his  relief.  He  loves  to  flj  on  tlio  wings  of  faith  and  love 
to  him.  He  daily  prays  "  to  be  filled  with  the  fruits  of  righlco\isnes5, 
xvhich  are  by  Jesus  Christ,  to  the  glory  and  praise  of  God,"  i'hihi.  1 1. 


'     MAY  30.  163 

JVoe  is  me,  my  mother,  that  thou  hast  Lome  /;?<?,  a  man  of 
strife  ^^  and  a  man  of  coiitention  to  the  whole  earth!  I 
have  neither  lent  on  n.sury,  nor  men  have  lent  to  me  on 
usury  yet  everyone  of  them  doth  curse  ;«(?.-— Jcr.xv.  10. 

It  is  sweet  consolation  to  new-born  souls  to  know  the  state  they 
are  come  to.     Verily,  saith  Paul,  "  unto  mount  Sion,  and  unto  the 
city  of  the  living  Ciod,    and  unto  the  heavenly  Jerusalem,"  Heb. 
xii.  22.     Even  to  all  the  glorious  privileges  of  Jesus'  church  and 
kingdom,  of  love,  gjvxe  and  peace.     The  utmost  stretch  of  thought 
comes  infinitely  short  of  our  highly  favored  state.  See  also  the  blessed 
company  you  are  come  to,  «  an  innumerable  comp^oiy  of  angels,  the 
general  assembly  and  church  of  the  first-born,  whose  naaies  are  writ- 
ten in  heaven,  and  to  God  the  judge  of  all,  and  to  the  spirits  of  just 
men  made  perfect,  and  to  Jesus  the  Mediator  of  the  new  covenant, 
and  to  the  blood  of  sprinkling,"  ver.  23,  24.    And  hath  distmguishing- 
grace  tluis  honored  us?  Shall  the  church  our  mother  bring  us  forth? 
And  will  not  the  world  take  knowledge  of  us,  that  we  have  been  with. 
Jesus  ?    That  cannot  be,  for  then  we  should  be  bastards,  and  not  sons. 
For  all  are  partakers  of  the  world's  hatred,  as  soon  as  they  appear  to 
be  the  object  of  God's  love,  and  live  as  his  adopted  children,  by  faith. 
What  a  strict  harmony  is  there  between  tlie  prophets  and  saints  of 
the  Old  Testament,  and  the  apostles  and  disciples  of  Jesus  under 
the  New  !     What  strong  confirmation,  that  both  are  taught  by  tho 
same  Spirit !     In  this  one  truth  they  both  perfectly  agree,  "  We  are 
not  of  the  world,  therefore  the  world  hateth  us,"  John  xv.  19.      But> 
marvel  not,  saith  our  loving  Jesus,  it  is  not  you,  butmc  they  hate. 
I  am  the  principal  object  of  hatred,  «you  only  for  my  sake.     But 
poor  souls  are  ready  to  cry  out,  "  Woe  is  me."     What  am  I  always 
?o  live  thus  in  strife  a'.id  contention  ?     Is  not  my  deportment  and  car- 
liage  towards  the  children  of  this  world  quiet  and  inoffensive  ?  No  ;i 
they  will  not  think  so,  unless  you  do  as  they  do,  live  as  they  live, 
follow  their  vain  customs,  and  partake  of  their  carnal  joys.     "  I  have 
neither  borrowed  nor  lent."     Verily,  tins  plea  of  excuse  is  the  cause 
of  offence.     For  this  they  will  curse  us  as  over-righteous,  precis* 
fools.     But  stoop  to  borrow  their  ways,  and  lend  yourself  to  their 
customs  and  practices,  cast  in  your  lot  with  tliem,  and  all  will  be 
well ;  peace  and  friendship  will  subsist.     But  no  ;  we  prefer  spiritual 
fellowship  with  Jesus  above  all :  we  dare  not  forsake  him,  nor  incur 
our  Father's  displeasure.     We  knoAV  "  the  friendship  of  the  world 
is  enmity  with  God,"  James  iv.  4. 

Hast  tliou  thy  S.'iviour's  mark,  my  soul  ?  My  Jcstis,  tcacli  me,  clay  by  <lay, 
llatcd  of  men  for  Jes'i's  sake  ?  To  glory  in  thy  cross. 

Such  honoris  thy  chi(  fisl  joy  O  may  I  live  and  inovc  this  tnitb, 
Ohu-isl'sglorT,  thousiioiildstiic'orfisryAk?,     AU  ja»»  Vutthfc,  jslrt«fs.  Xf: 


164  MAY  51. 

In  hope  of  eternal  life,  xuhich  God  that  cannot  lie,  pro- 
7nised  before  the  world  began. — Tit.  i.  2. 

Christ's  sheep  are  the  trophies  of  his  victory,  the  triumphs  of 
his  cross,  and  the  glory  of  his  crown.  Though  naturally  captives  and 
slaves  to  the  god  of  tins  world,  the  prince  of  the  power  of  the  air  ; 
yet  when  rescued  by  sovereign  grace,  they  hear  the  shepherd's  voice 
and  follow  him  But  at  present  they  are  prisoners  of  hope.  The  soul 
is  imprisoned  and  immi^-ed  in  the  noisome  wails  of  the  ifesh,  exposed 
to  many  taunts  and  jeers  of  the  enemy,  and  liable  to  many  fresh  rallies 
and  onsets  from  the  prince  of  darkness.  Often  through  their  views 
being  darkened,  and  from  opposing  lusts  of  the  flesh  they  fear,  iuid 
are  in  doubt  whether  they  shall  ever  arrive  at  the  glorious  mmisions 
of  liberty  and  love.  The  more  they  look  to  and  consider  themselves, 
the  more  discouragements  arise.  But  if  eternal  truth  and  almighty 
power,  founded  in  everlasting,  unchangeable  love,  can  secure  them 
and  bring  them  to  glory,  they  are  surely  safe  now— tliey  shall  be 
eternally  liappy  in  glory. 

Ilath  the  God  of  truth  promised  eternal  life  before  the  world 
began?  who  then  could  this  promise  be  made  to?  Verily,  to  no  other 
but  Jesus  the  surety  of  the  everlasting  covenant :  the  head  and  re- 
presentative to  all  his  chosen  members.  O  soul,  before  conversion 
to  Jesus,  thou  wast  a  dead  sinner  without  hope.  ^Hast  thou  fdth  in 
Jesus  ?  then  hast  thou  "  the  faith  of  God's  elect,  and  dost  acknowledge 
the  truth,  which  is  after  godliness."  Thou  hasl  also  eternal  life  : 
in  hope  now  ;  and  the  possession  is  as  sure  to  thee,  as  if  thou  wast 
in  actual  enjoyment  of  it.  The  eternal  God  of  truth  must  become  a 
liar,  if  thou  fail  of  thy  hope.  Was  eternal  life  promised  upon 
certain  conditions  ?  Jesus  hath  performed  them  all.  He  became 
surety  to  tliis  very  end.  God  the  Father  is  perfectly  satisfied,  and 
eternally  glorified  with  his  work.  God  the  spirit  bears  witness  to  it. 
Hereby  hope  is  established  in  the  heart.  O  then  take  heed  not  to 
invert  the  order  of  the  gospel,  lest  thy  nihid  be  perplexed,  hope 
clouded,  and  satan  gain  an  advantage.  Be  thankful  for  the  grace  of 
hope  ;  but  ever  glory  in  the  God  of  hope.  ■  Frames  and  feelings  of- 
ten vary:  they  may  delude  and  deceive.  Gifts  may  be  lost :  graces 
decline.  Jesus  our  Iwfic  cannot.  "  He  is  the  same  yesterday,  to- 
day, and  forever.  Wherefor-c  are  eternal  transactions  revealed  ?  but 
for  God's  glory  and  the  confirmation  of  his  people's  faith  and  hope 
in  God,  and  to  excite  love  in  him.  Ever  remember,  by  grace  ye 
are  saved,  "  according  to  the  prorojsc  of  life,  which  is  in  Christ 
•Jesus,"  2  Tim.  i.  1. 


,      JUNE  1.  165 

Whosoever  helieveth  that  Jesus  is  the  Christ,   is  born  of 
God. — 1  John  v.  1. 

It  is  too  common  for  many  of  God's  dear  children  to  perplex 
and  distress  their  mind^,  in  seeking  after  marks  and  evidences  of  the 
new-birth  ;  while  they  too  often  expect  to  find  them  outwardly  in  the 
flesh,  uistead  of  looking  inwardly  to  the  spirit.  For  the  satisfaction 
and  comfort  of  God's  children,  the  Holy  Ghost  hath  laid  down  this 
inward  evidence, yrtzV//,  as  an  incontestable  mark  of  a  new-bom  soul. 
When  Peter  made  that  glorious  confession,  «  Thou  art  Christ  the 
Son  of  the  livhig  God,"  Jesus  replies,  "  Blessed  art  thou,  Simon  ; 
ilesh  and  blood  hath  not  revealed  it  unto  thee,  but  iny  I'ather  who  is 
in  heaven."  All  the  powers  and  abilities  of  human  nature  and  reason 
(so  far  from  teachin-)  are  at  enmity  against  this  soul-saving  truth. 
No  man  can  teach  it  his  brother,  so  as  to  cause  his  heart  to  receive 
and  believe  it.  It  is  a  knowledge  only  revealed  by  the  Spirit ;  received 
and  believed  by  heaven-born  souls,  that  the  man  Jesus  is  the,  only 
Saviour — that  he  is  the  anointed  of  God,  to  the  work  of  salvation  of 
lost  sinners.  The  very  devils  know  and  confess  this,  but  witliout 
any  hope  of  salvation  hereby.  But  when  any  poor  sinner  is  enabled 
to  believe  this  in  his  heart,  it  is,a  blessed  evidence  of  the  love  of  the 
Fatlxer,  and  the  power  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  Then  "He  hath  the 
witness  in  himself,  that  he  is  born  of  God."  He  hath  the  mark  and 
evidence  of  a  child  of  God  within  him.  As  the  gift  of  Jesus  is  the 
fruit  of  God's  everlasting  love,  so  faith  in  Jesus  is  tlic  fruit  of  his 
having  "died  for  our  sins,  and  rose  again  for  our  justification," 
ascended  to  the  Father,  and  sent  the  Holy  Ghost  to  testify  of  him' 
This  belief,  honors  the  God  of  truth :  glorifies  the  God  of  grace,  by 
receiving  the  testimony  he  hath  given  gf  his  bclovtd  son,  Jehus.  It 
is  a  holy  faith  ;  it  dwells  in  holy  hearts,  and  produceth  holy  fruits. 
Happy  the  heart,  that  hath  received  this  power  and  privilege  to 
become  a  son  of  God.  The  love  of  the  holy  trinity  is  upon  such  a  soul. 
It  is  his  privilege,  like  the  happy  eunuch,  "  to  go  on  his  way  rejoic- 
ing." It  is  his  happiness  ever  to  be,  "  looking  unto  Jesus  the  author 
and  finisher  of  our  faith— relying  on  Jesus  who  is  our  righteous- 
ness, 1  Cor.  i.  30  ;  trusting  in  Jesus,  who  is  our  hofie^  1  Tim.  i.  1  ; 
rejoicing  in  Jesus,  who  is  our  fieacc.)  Eph.  ii,  14  ;  glorying  in  Jesus, 
who  is  our  atonement,  Rom.  v.  11;  and  thus  looking  for  the  merry 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  unto  eternal  life,"  Jude,  verse  21. 

Tlic  sov'reiecn  will  of  Co<1  nlons  Nev.-  models  .-xU  (Lc  carnal  mini]. 
Creates  us  heirs  of  v:yACf. ;  And  forms  tlie  man  afresh. 

Bom  in  the  ima?c  of  his  Son,  Our  quickene.i  souls  by  failh  ai-iee 
A  new  peculiar  race.  p.-om  Ae  Ions;  slcop  of  death  ; 

The  Spirit  like  same  hcnv'nly  wijid.  On  hcav'nl\-  thinijr.  we  fix  our  eyes. 
Blows  on  the  sonsofiesll,  And  praise  employs  •urbr«utb. 

Vei..  I.  W 


166  JUNE  2. 

Then  said  his  ivife  unto  him,  dost  thou  still  retain  thine 
ijitegrity  f  Curse  God  and  die. — Job  ii.  9. 

In  seasons  of  distress  and  affliction  how  must  it  alleviate  the 
mind,  and  soothe  our  sorrows,  to  have  so  near  and  dear  a  friend  as 
the  partner  of  our  lives  speak  a  good  word  in  due  season  ?  but  on  the 
contrary,  when  such  an  one  is  used  as  an  instrument,  by  the  adver- 
sary, it  heightens  distress,  and  adds  a  double  weight  to  the  pressure 
of  affiictions.  Such  was  the  case  of  patient  Job.  Flesh  of  his  flesh, 
and  bone  of  his  bone,  taunts  at  him  for  his  integrity,  and  urges 
advice,  which  was  a  dagger  to  his  very  heart.  Verily,  believer, 
thou  also  art  "  born  to  trouble  as  the  sparks  fly  upwards."  Thou 
hast  therefore  need  of  faith  and  patience  as  well  as  Job.  These  thou 
also  art  a  partaker  of,  though  not  to  so  eminciit  a  degree.  Thou 
also  hast  a  peevish,  fretful,  repining  partner  for  life  ;  which  will  ever 
be  urging  upon  thee  reproaches,  and  giving  thee  such  advice,  which 
is  at  the  peril  of  thy  soul  to  hearken  to.  Here  is  the  exercise  of  thy 
graces.  Be  then  on  thy  guard  against  this  dear  partner,  rather  near 
enemy,  even  thy  carnal  sinful  nature,  the  flesh,  with  its  afl"ections 
and  lusts.  Know  assuredly,  when  it  would  reason  with  thee,  it  is  to 
beguile  thee — when  it  demands  an  audience,  it  is  to  instil  the  venom 
of  poison.  Its  nature  is  enmity  ;  its  workings  rebellion  ;  its  reason- 
ings treason  against  thy  God.  If  thou  give  place  to  the  flesh  it  will 
wound  thy  soul.  If  thou  suffer  it  to  gain  ascendency,  it  will  darken 
thy  mind,  and  bring  distress  upon  thy  conscience.  "  If  thou  livcst 
after  the  flesh  thou  shalt  die."  If  therefore  at  any  time,  through  the 
-pride  and  perverseness  of  the  flesh,  thou  art  tempted  to  entertiun  hard 
thoughts  of  thy  God  ;  to  be  impatient  under  his  chastisements,  and 
murmur  againat  his  allotments  ;  to  call  in  question  the  truths  of  his 
word,  the  stability  of  his  covenant^  the  frceness  of  his  promises,  and 
the  security  of  thy  soul's  salvation  through  the  faith  of  Jesus  ;  resist 
its  suggestions  in  the  faith  of  the  word  of  grace  ;  turn  from  its  rea- 
sonings as  from  a  bitter  foe  ;  and  silence  it  with  this  humble,  sub- 
missive language  of  faith;  «  Shall  we  receive  good  at  the  hand  of 
Ciod,  and  shall  we  not  receive  evil  ?"  Job's  >vife  was  mortal :  so  is  thy 
flesh.  His  sorest  affiictions  were  soon  at  an  end.  The  Lord  blessed 
the  latter  end  of  Job  more  tiian  his  beginning.  Lo,  thus  shall  it  be 
with  thee.  Here  is  our  joy  of  faith.  Our  time  is  short.  Our  light 
afilifeuons  are  but  for  a  moment :  "  they  work  for  us  a  far  more 
exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of  glory,"  2  Cor.  iv.  17. 

Tljro'  sens  ami  storms  of  deq)  «,!istress  Dear  Fatlier,  if  thy  lifted  rod 

AVc  sail  ]j)-  faith,  and  not  \.y  si^ht ;  Resolv'd  to  scourge  us  here  hcIOM', 

('hrist  guides  ns  in  the  wilderness  Still  we'niuft  lean  upon  oiir  God^ 

Tliro'  ;dUhe  bi-iaiR  of  the  it\g\\t  Thine  arm  shall  ben:-  w;  safely  thro'. 


JUNE  3.  167 

Jesus  said,  I  thank  thee,  0  FatJier,  Lord  of  heaven  and 

earth,  because  thou  hast  hid  these  thifigs  J'roju  the  wise 

aJid prudent, ■  and  hast  revealed  them  unto  babes :  Evtn 

so  Father,  for  so  it  seemed  good  in  thy  sight. — Matt. 

xi.  25,  26. 

The  true  ministers  of  Christ  arc  greatly  encouraged  m  thcit 

labours,  knowing  they  serve  that  sovereign  Lord,  who  hath  declared, 

«  jMy  word  shall  not  return  to  me  void,  but  it  shidl  accomplish  that 

which  I  please  :  it  shall  prosper  in   the  thing  whcreunto  I  sent  il," 

Isa.  Iv.  11.     «  To  some  the  gospel  is  a  savour  of  life  unto  life  ;  unto 

others  of  death  unto  death."  To  some  Jesus  is  revealed,  to  others  the 

gospel  is  hid.     Ivevertheless,  his  ministers  "  are  unto  God,  a  sweet 

savour  of  Christ  in  tliem  that  are  saved,  and  in  them  that  perish," 

2  Cor.  ii.   15. 

What  shall  we  say  to  these  things  ?  shall  wc  dare  to  cavil  against 
the  sovereign  dispensations  of  God,  or  arraign  him  at  tlie  bar  of 
our  weak  judgment  ?  shall  the  pot-sherds  of  the  earth  contend  with 
Jehovah,  luid  say,  What  dost  thou  ?  Shall  the  pride  of  our  carnal 
reason,  and  the  rebellion  of  our  corrupt  nature,  vent  itselt  with, '  I 
will  not  allow  it  at  all ;  I  cannot  believe  it  is  just  and  righteous  that  the 
Lord  should  act  with  sovereignty,  give  or  withhold  his  special  gi-ace 
as  it  seemeth  good  unto  him  !'  St.  P  uil  sharply  reproves  such  daring 
speeches.  "  Nay,  but  O  man,  who  art  thou  that  repliest  against 
Gcd  ?"  It  is  plain  that  such  walk  not  humbly  ;  they  have  hct  the 
mind  of  C'hrist.  The  Father's  will  v.'as  his  joy  :  Jehovah's  purposes 
his  delight :  and  with  sovereign  dispensations  Jesus  most  cheerfully 
acquiesced  ;  "  Even  so.  Father,  for  so  it  seemed  good  in  thy  sight." 
Herein  he  hath  left  us  an  example.  'Ij^.is  is  beyond  all  other  reasons 
we  can  assign  for  God's  dealings  in  grace  and  providence.  Sucii 
sentiments  shew,  that  we  have  been  taught  of  God,  are  little  in  ouv 
own  eyes,  passive  as  babes  in  our  own  judgment,  and  are  submissive 
children  to  our  Father's  will. 

A  spiritual  revelation  of  the  hope  of  the  gospel*  is  by  the  sove- 
reign grace  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  "  who  divideth  to  every  man  severall} 
as  he  will."  It  ever  begets  humility  of  heart.  Why  me.  Lord  I 
creates  amazement  of  soul.  What  am  I !  ever  excites  love  and  gra- 
titude. Am  I  called  to  the  faith  of  Jesus,  and  the  hope  of  sahuttion, 
while  others,  of  the  wise  and  prudent  of  this  world,  are  left  in.  the 
darkness,  pride  and  rebellion  of  their  nature  ?  O  what  sliull  I  render 
unto  the  Lord  ?  How  fearful  to  offend,  how  studious  to  please,  how 
joyful  to  glorify  the  Lord  my  God  ought  J  to  be  fiom  d.^y  to  day  : 
"  Looking  mito  Jesus  the  author  and  finisher  of  our  faith." 
'  Thus  (loth  tli«  Lord  of  heav'n  aud  e.iilli   Bow  llieii,  in}-  Lord,  my  proud  frcc-v  ill, 

•  His  irriat  decrees  fulfil.  To  own  thy  so> 'reign  hand  ; 
*  And  orders  all  his  works  of  {(race               And  Iniiri'dy  to  adore  thy  \\  ni  s 

♦  By  his  own  sov'rcign  v  ill.'  ■^Vhich  I  can't  uiKlcrnnad.  Al . 


168  JUNE  4. 

And  one  told  David^  saying,  Ahithophel  is  among  the  con- 
spirators with  Absalom.  And  David  said,  O  Lord,  I 
pray  thee,  turn  the  counsel  of  AhithopJiel  into  foolish- 
ness.— 2  Sam.  XV.  31. 

Clouds  gathered  very  fast  and  gre^v  very  black  at  this  time  over 
the  head  of  king  David.  His  own  beloved  son  had  drawn  the  sword 
of  rebellon — his  subjects  flocked  in  great  numbers  ;  and  to  heighten 
the  king's  distress,  his  own  counsellor  joined  the  conspiracy.  But 
under  all  this  Da.vid  shewed  himself  to  be  a  man  after  God's  own 
heart.  His  soul  looks  through  every  discouragement.  He  knew  the 
thi'one  of  grace  to  be  ever  open  and  accessible,  therefore  the  very 
tidings  that  brought  sorrow  to  his  heart,  he  instantly  makes  the 
subject  of  his  prayer.  Happy  conduct  1  when  before  carnal  reason  is 
suffered  to  plead,  the  prayer  of  faith  is  presented.  Too,  too  oft  do 
disciples,  upon  hearing;  disagreeable  tidings,  consult  flesh  and  blood 
before  they  apply  to  their  ever-loving  and  faitliful  friend  Jehovah. 
This  ought  not  so  to  be.  According  to  David's  fuith  and  prayer  so 
the  Lord  answered  him.  The  counsel  which  he  had  reason  to  dread 
from  Ahithophel,  was  defeated  by  the  Lord,  and  turned  to  his  own 
destruction.  Thus  "  the  Lord  only  is  our  refuge  and  strengtii ;  a 
very  present  help  in  every  time  of  trouble,"  Psalm  xlvi.  1. 

Knowest  thou  not,  disciple,  there  is  treason  and  rebellion  found 
with  tliee  against  David's  Lord,  even  Jesus,  thy  king  ?  Not  greater 
reason  had  David  to  fear,  and  to,  pray  against  Ahithophel's  counsel, 
than  thou  hast  daily.  As  his  name  signifies  brother  of  ruin  or  folly, 
it  reminds  one  of  the  flesh,  a  brother  or  partaker  of  the  ruin  of  sia 
with  the  soul ;  also  that  its  wisdom  is  ever  with  us,  is  ever  coun- 
selling and  conspiring  against  the  peace  and  sidety,  the  love  and 
holiness,  the  joy  and  happiness  of  the  soul  in  Clirist  Jesus.  It  not 
only  counsels  against,  but  lusts  contrary  to  the  Spirit  continually. 
May  this  be  our  daily  prayer  in  the  spirit  and  in  faith,  "  O  Lord,  turn 
the  counsel  jof  the  flesh  into  foolishness,  confound  its  pride,  destroy 
its  lust,  subdue  its  passions?  suffer  us  not  to  confer  with  flesh  and 
blood,  let  us  not  sow  to  the  flesh  ;  but  enable  us  to  confer  with  thcc 
by  f:iith.  May  our  conversation  be  in  heaven  !  So  strengthen  us  to  put 
off  the  old  man  with  his  deeds,  until  Ave  put  off  the  body,  to  be  "  sovtii 
in  dishonor,  and  to  be  raised  in  glory,"  1  Coi".  xv.  43. 

v.," 
Arise  my  soul,  my  joyful  pow'r:;,  Clirist  rais'd  me  from  tlie  deeps  of  sin. 

And  triumph  in  my  God  ;  The  g.tles  of  gajjing  lieli, 

Aw.ike,  my  voict*,  and  loud  pi'oclaim  And  fixt  niy. standing  more  se«nrc 

]fi",  glorious  gractf  abroad.  'Clian'tvpisfeefo-clfcrt, 


JUNE  5.  1G9 

Take  heed  to  yourselves  ;  if  thy  brother  trespass  agahist 
thee  seven  times  in  a  day.  and  seven  times  in  a  day  turn 
again  €t)  thee,- saying.  I  repent;  thou  shalt  forgive  hint, 
— Luke  xvii.  3,  4. 

Mind   this  loving  word.     "  Do  thyself  no  harm."     The  Icnst 
degree  of  malice,  hatred  or  revenge,  is  contrary  to  the  genius  of  the 
gospel — inconsistent  witli  the  character  of  u  disciple  of  the  lucek  and 
lowly  Jesus.     But,  our  master  kno\ys  wh:^t  is  in  man  :  that  his  mem- 
bers are  composed  of  flesh,  as  well  as  spirit ;  and  therefore  ibble  to 
offend,   one  against  ai^other,   so  as  to  hurt  and  injure  each  other,  in 
fhe  peace  of  their  minds,  -and  fellowship  of  their  spirits.     So, also, 
they  cause  the  way  of  truth  to  be  evil  spoken  of,  by  the  adversaries, 
who  are  glad  at  every  advantage,  to  cry  out,  '^  O  thenii  are  your 
saints !  see  how  full  of  wrath  they  are  ;  how  they  bite  and  devour  each 
other."     Therefore,  "  take  heed  to  yourselves,"  suith  the  head  to  his 
members.     Watch  against  this  evil.     Offences  will  come.     I  teach 
you  hovv'  to  behave.     Suppose  thy  broilier  trespass  against  thee,  pity 
liis  weakness  :  pray  for  him  by  name,  to  thy  Father,  and  his  Father. 
Beware  of  angry  resentment.     If  he  aggravates  his  offence,  by  fre- 
quent repetition,  thou  shalt  in  no  wise  hate  thy  brother  ;  but,  as   oft 
as  he  offends,  if  he  as  often  "  turn  again  to  thee,  sayii:g,  I  repent ; 
thou  shalt  forgive  him."     But,  are  we  not  to  forgive  him  until,  and 
unless,  he  do  turn  and  say,  I  reperit  ?  In  one  sense  we  ought;  perhaps, 
not  in  another.     We  must  not,  at  our  peril,  entertain  anger,  or  let 
the  smi  go  down  on  our  wrath  ;  but  in  our  hearts  freely  and  fully  for- 
give an  offending  brotlier.     But,  what  if  he  remtuns  stubborn,  and 
persists  in  a  spirit  of  bitterness  ?  Even  then,  we  are  to  forgive  hini 
in  our  hearts,  and  be  desirous  of  embra^ng  him,  in  love. 

But  may  v/e  not  justly  suspend  declaring  our  forgiveness  to  him, 
until  he  turn  and  say,  I  repent  ?  Herein  have  we  not  God's  word,  and 
method,  as  our  exair.ple  ?  Though  God  loves  his  people  in  Christ, 
and  for  his  sake  pardons  their  sins  ;  yet,  uritil  they  actually  turn  to 
him,  and  repent,  he  doth  not  manliest  his  pardon,  and  love  to  diem. 
But  let  us  ever  remember,  as  God's  thoughts  of  love  are  towards  us, 
before  we  turn  to  him  ;  so  our  thoughts  of  love  siiould  be  to  our  of- 
fending brethren>  ere  they  turn  to  us.  Doth  the  Lord  Jesus  require 
us  to  forgive  every  repeated  offence,  even  until  seventy  times  s^ven, 
lour  hundred  and  ninety  ?  surely  then,  he  will  magnify  liis  love,  a;id 
ilisplay  his  mercy,  in  pardoning  the  innumerable  offences,  of  all  who 
turn  to  him.  "  Forgiving  one  another,  even  as  Ciod,  for  Christ's 
sake  hath  forgiven  you,"  Eph.  iv.  32. 

♦  (Jront  is  flod's.loTe,  p.n'\  Jarjjo  liis  g;-ace.   Then  !et  us  to  onr  bj'cthren  shew, 

♦  'J'liioiijjii  the  redemption  of  li?5  Son:        The  lovimj  siurit  wc  part;ike, 
'  ric  turns  our  f jet  fro  n  siiifiil  v  nys,  All  their  otTonccs  to  forefrOj 

♦  And  pardoas  wliat  our  hands  have  done.'  And  love  them  freely  for  Chrlsl's  sake.?.!  • 


170  JUNE  6. 

Andl saidy  This  is  my  infirmity — Psalm  Ixxvii.   10. 

While  in  Uie  body,  we  are  in  such  anhnpcifect  state,  as  to  be 
liable  to  various  excrcibes  of  mind,  through  in-dwelling  corrupuous, 
and  the  suggestions  of  sutan.  Saints  in  all  ages  have  experienced 
fluctuating  frames.  Like  mai'incrs  on  a  tempestuous  sea,  at  one  time, 
they  seem  to  mount  up  to  heaven,  in  comfort  and  joy  ;  at  another, 
they  sink  down,  in  apprehension,  to  the  depths  of  hell ;  then,  like 
persons  at  their  wit's  end,  they  express  themselves,  in  a  very  unrea- 
sonable manner.  Doubt  and  uncertainty  take  place  of  knowledge  and 
trutli :  unbelief  seems  to  prevail  against  faitli ;  and  they  are  ready  to 
call  all  in  question  :  not  only,  past  sweet  experiences  of  God's  love 
to  their  souls,  but  the  very  existence  of  God's  promises,  faitiifulness, 
and  truth.  And  they  write  with  the  pen  of  inspiration  (though  not  of 
the  Spirit  of  truth,  but  of  a  lying  spirit)  many  false  and  bitter  things 
against  themselves.  "  Woe  is  me,  I  am  undone,"  saith  Isaiah. 
"  Woe  is  me,"  saith  Jeremiah.  "  Without  were  fightings,  within 
were  fears,"  say  the  apostles.  "  I  shall  one  day  perish  by  the  hand 
of  Saul,"  saith  David.  And  in  this  psalm,  hope  seems  to  be,  as  it 
were,  giving  up  the  ghost,  and  \vith  languid,  faint  accents  breathes, 
"  Will  the  Lord  cast  off"  for  ever  ?  will  he  be  favorable  no  more  ?  is 
his  mercy  clean  gone  for  ever  ?  doth  his  promise  fail  for  evermore  I 
hath  God  forgotten  to  be  gracious  ?  hath  he,  in  anger,  shut  up  his 
tender  mercies  ?"  Sn  that  you  see,  O  tossed,  tempted,  tried  believer, 
this  is  the  way  saiiits  in  all  ages  have  gone  to  glory.  Thou  hast  thy 
lot  with  them  now  ;  soon  thou  ako  shalt  be.  where  they  are.  But  O 
what  a  gloomy  pro.spcct,  what  soul-distressing  views,  must  that  poor 
sinner  have,  who  lives  upon  his  frames,  whose  hope  springs  from  his 
own  faithfulness,  or  trusts  to  the  exercise  of  his  own  grace,  instead 
of  the  God  of  all  grace,  the  blessed  Jesus,  «  wlio  is  the  same  yester- 
day, to-duy,  and  for  ever  !"  How  comforting  !  how  heart-reviving 
to  know  that  the  Lord,  "  who  sent  redcinption  unto  his  people,  will 
ever  be  mindful  of  his  covenant,  which  st^ndcih  fast  for  ever,"  Psalm 
cxi.  5.  Therefore  the  Holy  Spirit  stands  engaged,  in  covenant-con- 
tract, to  execute  his  office,  as  the  comforter.  When  he  is  pleased 
to  revive  the  soul  vvith  the  views  of  Jesus,  'his- glorious  work,  and 
finished  salvation,  satan  skulks  away,  like  andean,  abashed  liar  :  the 
believer  returns  to  his-right  mind,  takes  shame  to  himself,  and  says, 
That  I  should  ever  doubt  of  thy  love,  call  in  ([ucslion  Lliy  truth,  and 
suspect  thy  faithfulness  :  O  r.r/  God,  this  is  my  infu-miiy  ! 

Jlcticc  from  my  snul  snd  thoughts  be  gone.  Till  so\:'ri',igi)  grace  with  shiniiij;  ra^  9 
Atii]  leiivc  inc  tu  liiv  joys  ;  UispeU'd  my  gloomy  ftiu-s. 

My  tO!i2:iie  shall  triumph  in  my  (iod  ; 
Christ  pleads  his  i-ightcous  cause.  '"  '""'"     -  t'^'fptcr  frights  my  soul, 

And  breaks  n\v  peace  again ; 

Darkness  and  douht  Jiad  veil'd  my  mind,     One  glimpse,  dear  Saviour,  of  thv  T -'      ' 
And  drov.u'd  my  cyts  in  tears,-  ^  Revives  mv  joys  again. 


'      JUNE  7.  171 

Lord,  behold,  he  whom  f/wii  lovest  is  sick  -^Johnx'u  3. 

1  o  ha.ve  Jesus  continui;lly  live  in  our  thoughts,  should  be  our 
diiily  study.  To  keep  a  sweet  intercourse  open,  bctv.'ccn  Christ  and 
the  boul,  should  be  ouv  constant  exercise.  To  be  watchful  against 
every  bold  intruder,  tliat  would  inteirupt  our  communion  with  the 
Saviour,  is  our  greatest  wisdom.  Thus,  through  the  Spirit's  aid,  a 
holy  freedom  and  humble  familiarity  is  maintained  with  Christ,  and 
oui-  hearts.  Why  should  we  not  be  aiming  thus  to  anticipate  heaven  ? 
For,  Jesus  never  intermits  in  his  love  to  us,  care  over  us,  and  pre- 
sence with  us.  Tlirough  such  a  happy  conduct,  we  shall  enjoy  an 
abiding  sense  of  this.  Then,  when  sin  assults,  satan  attacks, 
temptations  beset,  afllictions  surround,  sickness  overtake^,  sorrow 
bows  down,  death  tht-eatens,  or  whatever  may  be  our  state,  how 
comforting  when  the  twin  sisters  of  fiiith  and  hope,  like  the  two  sisters 
of  Lazarus,  carry  our  case  to  the  master,  with  «  Lord,  behold,  he 
whom  thou  lovest  is  sick  ?"  Short,  but  very  expressive.  Nc^  like 
the  nobleman's  importunate  prayer,  "  Sir,  come  down,  ere  my  son 
die  ;"  but  a  simple  message.  They  knew  the  love  and  power  of 
Jesus.  They  doubted  not  his  speed.  It  is  enough  to  lay  our  case 
before  the  Lord.  It  is  best  entirely  to  submit  to  his  will,  and  patiently 
wait  his  time.  <'  He  that  believeth  shall  not  make  haste,"  Isa. 
xxviii.  16. 

Is  there  a  poor  sinner  on  earth,  who  believes  in  Jesus,  that  can 
doubt  of  his  love  ?  Hath  he  not  given  the  strongest  assurances  of  it? 
Infinitely  stronger,  than  if  he  had  sent  an  angel,  to  testify  of  his  love 
to  us.  For  he  came  himself;  he  more  than  told  usliow  he  loved  us; 
his  sorrows,  his  sufferings,  his  agonies  and  death,  most  loudly  pro- 
claim it ;  for  our  sins  he  bled,  for  our  eins  he  sufTcrcd  ;  yea  for  that; 
most  base  sin,  that  sin  of  all  sins,  the  greatest  of  sins,  unbelief. 
This,  even  this,  Jesus  bore  himself,  in  his  own  body  on  the  tree. 
Even  this  he  died  to  atone  for,  as  well  as  all  others.  Art  thou  often 
sick,  and  fearcst  this  master-sin  will  prove  the  death  of  thy  soul,  as 
it  docs  now  the  life  of  thy  comforts  ?  Is  this  the  grief  of  thine  heart, 
and  the  cause  of  thy  woe  ?  Jesus  is  the  alone  physician,  he  only  can 
cure  it.  "  For  he  is  not  only  the  author,  but  finisher  of  our  faith," 
Ileb.  xii  2.  TJiough,  like  the  sisters  of  Lazarus,  we  cannot  plead 
our  strong  love  to  Jesus,  yet  in  the  belief  of  his  word,  wc  may  ever 
plead  his  strong  love  to  us.  "  Lord,  behold,  he  whom  thou  lovest  is 
sick."  Heal  thy  servant.  "  Lord,  I  believe,  help  thou  my  unbelief." 
Ask,  is  Christ's  blessed  command.  It  shall  be  given,  is  his  precious 
promise,  Luke  xi.  9. 

How  many  arcthy  thouf^hts  of  love  !  'NVhon  I'm  afflicted,  poor  and  lotl'. 

Thy  mcicii's.  Lord,  how  great !  And  light  and  peace  depart. 

We  have  not  hours,  nor  words  eoiOUgh,  My  Jesus  sees  my  heavy  woe. 

Their  numbers  to  repeat.  And  bears  jne  oo  his  heart. 


172  JUNE  8. 

Blessed  is  the  man  ivhom  thou  choosest,  and  causest  f» 
approach  unto  thee,  that  lie  may  dwell  in  thy  courts  : 
7Ve  shall  he  satisfied  with  the  goodness  of  thy  housc^ 
even  of  thy  holy  temple Pbiilm  ixv.   4. 

Mr.   BuNYAK,  ill  liis   Pilgrim's  Progress,  observes,  "  Chris- 
liana's  hctirl  was  so  eiiamoured,  by  the  afiecting  sight  oi"  Christ's 
cross,  Ly  faith,  that  she  wished  all  her  carnal  friends,  to  partukc, 
in  what  she  savr,  and  felt.     But  she  was  reminded,  that  faith's  views 
arc  of  special  grace."     They  are  streams  which  flow  from  the  river 
of  God's  electing  love.     Every  man  whom  the  Lord  chooseth,  "  is 
blessed  with  all  spiritual  blessings  in  Christ. "     This  is  evidenced  by 
spiritual  Hfe.     Seeing  all  grace,  love,  and  happiness  center  m  Jeho- 
vah, he  delights  to  draw  nigh  to  him,  because  confident  of  access, 
by  a  new  and  living  way  consecrated .  through  the  flesh  of  Jesus. 
Here  is  no  fiei'y  law,  no  flaming   sword,  to  terrify  and  affright  the 
believer,  in  his  approach  to  God.     But  the  Lord  himself  causes  him, 
to  approach  his  presence.     Love,  not  only  invites,  but  sweetly  con- 
strains him  to  come,  as  a  child  to  its  loving  parent.     "  The  Father 
draws  to  the   Son,  and  the   Son  reveals  the  Father,"  by  the  Holy 
Spirt,  as  a  God  of  love  to  poor  sinners.     Without  this  no  soul  can, 
or  will,  ever  come  unto  God,  John  vi.  44.     See  thy  special  mercy. 
Adore  that  sovci-eign  grace,  which   reign  over  all   thy  pride,  and 
stubbornness.     And  do  I  thus  approach  my  Lord  ?     O  what  infinite 
treasures  of  grace  arc  secured  by  covenant-love  and  promise  !  Not  a 
sudden  fit  of  pleasure,  or  transient  delight  in  the  ways  of  God,  do 
such  experience  ;  but  they  shall  "  chvell"  their  residence  shall  be 
near  the  Lord  in  spirit, and  they  shall  be  satisfied  from  Jesus.   All  the 
glory  and  magnificence  of  tJic  temple  was  only  typical  ©f  Jesus,  who 
exceeds  in  gloiy.     All  the  glory  and  goodness  of  the  Lord  is  trea- 
sured up  in,  and  communicated  from  him,  as  man  and  Mediator,  to 
poor  sinners.     Come  then  as  a  needy  beggar  to  receive. 

O  the  super-aboundii)g  goodness  of  the  Lord,  to  cause  poor,  head- 
strong", high-minded  rebels  to  approach  him,  and  be  satisfied  with 
him  I  Most  joyful  claim  of  faith,  «  The  Lord  :is  my  portion,  saith 
my  soul,  therefore  will  I  hope  in  him,"  Lam.  iii.  24.  A  glimpse 
of  Christ's  glory  and. goodness  sickens  the  soul  to  every  other  object. 
A  lively  faith,  engages  the  affections  towards  him ;  love  is  very 
jealou's,  and  excites  watchfulness  against  what  may  disturb  its  hap- 
piness, or  destroy  its  comfort.  "I  will  sing  unto  the  Lo)d,  because 
he  hutli  dvvelthountifully  wilh  mc,  Psalm  xiii,  G. 

Wc  thnse  Our  God  and  then  v/c're  blest.  But  liow  fame  ^vc  tlic  Lord  to  chuse. 
Ami  ill  Ills  c<"irts  \vc  dwell :  We  are  fcf  s'ni  pccurst  ? 

Lo.  }ici'o  M'c  fiml  perpetual  rest,  Tlijs  my&t'ry  we  v  ill'Soon  dwlose, 
And  of  his  goodness  tell.  Because,  God  chose  us  first.  M. 


,     JUNE  9.  173 

Wherefore .  beloved,  seeing  that  ye  look  for  such  thbigSy 
be  diligent  that  ye  may  be  found  of  him  in  peace,  with- 
out spoty  and  blameless. — 2  Peter  iii.  14. 

It  is  a  most  grand-  delusion  to  imagine  that  the  doctrines  of 
grace  tend  to  lull  the  soul  asleep  in  supine  indolence,  or  slothful 
stupidity.  The  believer  hath  not  so  learned  Chiist.  Thoueh  he  is 
saved  by  grace  freely,  yet  he  is  called  to  "  labour  diligently."  By  faith 
he  looks  forward,  to  the  fulfilment  of  awful  predictions  and  pre- 
cious promises.  Hence  we  are  excited  to  d;dly  diligence,  in  the 
performance  of  duties,  the  use  of  means,  and  the  exercise  of  graces. 
Do  we  look  for  the  burning  of  the  earth,  the  elements,  and  all  sub- 
lunary things  ?  do  we  expect  to  be  inhabitants  of  new  heavens,  and 
a  new  earth  ?  do  we  wait,  and  sometimes  long  for  the  coming  of 
the  Lamb,  our  loving  master  and  precious  Saviour  ?  and  shall  we 
indulge  carnal  case  and  spiritual  sloth  ?  shall  we  not  fear  to  be  found 
of  Jesus  in  such  a  state  ?  Most  true,  "  Jesus  hath  made  peace  for  us, 
by  the  blood  of  his  cross."  But  shall  we  not  be  diligent,  to  maintain 
a  lively  sense  of  tliis  sweet  peace  in  our  hearts  ?  shall  we  not  labour 
after  purity  of  heart  ?  And  how  is  this  to  be  expected,  but  by  stu- 
diously avoiding  those  things,  which  tend  to  draw  the  heart,  and 
alienate  tlie  affections  from  Jesus  ?  If  we  lose  sight  of  the  Lamb,  we 
lose  the  sense  of  peace.  If  we  look  at  things  which  are  seen,  this 
begets  love  to  them,  and  increases  anxious  solicitude  for  them.  And, 
alas  !  then  they  only  pierce  us  through  with  many  sorrows.  And 
most  of  all,  -when  we  are  in  our  right  minds,  do  not  our  sorrows 
increase,  if  wc  decrease  in  spiritual  diligence,  and  grow  in  worldiy- 
mindedncss  ? 

Christian,  though  thou  knowest  it  is  God  that  givcth  thee  power 
to  get  wealth,  and  his  providence  is  engaged  to  preserve  thy  body  j 
yet,  this  doth  not  cause  thee  to  abate  thy  diligence  in  thy  A\orklly 
concerns  ;  nor  doth  it  make  thee  careless  to  preserve  thy  body  from 
harms  and  administer  to  it  such  things  as  are  for  its  health.  Most 
happy  is  it  for  thee,  thus  daily  to  watch  over,  and  care  for,  the  peace 
and  purity  of  thy  soul.  Jesus  is  thy  peace  :  by  living  on  him,  peace 
is  enjoyed.  He  is  thy  Saviour  :  by  looking  to  him,  thou  shalt  be 
kept  free  from  filthy  spots.  Thus  by  maintaining  fellowship  with 
Christ — walking  with  Christ — keeping  up  a  free  intercourse  with 
Christ;  peace  of  mind,  and  purity  of  heart  are  preserved.  In  this 
way,  verily,  iliou  shalt  be  blameless.  And  be  assured,  "  the  dili- 
gent soul  shall  be  made  fat,"  Prov.  xiii.  4. 

My  thoii!^hts  surmount  tliese  lower  skie3,  There  I  beliold  v  itli  sweet  «lcligUt 
I  look  within  the  vlII  ;  'I'he  blessed   Three  in  One, 

■yhere  springs  of  endless  piea.swre  rise,  Ai"!  strong;  afFections  fix  my  sight 
The  waters  ueTy  fail.  On  Cod's  Liicaniate  Son. 

VoJt.  I.  X 


174  JUNE  10. 

And  his  disciples  came,  and  took  up  the  body,  and  buried 
ity  and  went  and  told  Jesus, — Matt.  xiv.  12. 

Thus  was  cxtlngnlshed  that  burning  and  shining  light,  Jolm 
Baptist.  It  is  very  staggering  to  the  eyt  of  sense,  and  tlie  judgment 
of  carnal  reason,  that  tlie  "  I^ord,  whose  eyes  are  over  the  righteous," 
should  yet  suffer  his  fathful  ministers,  and  dearest  children,  to  fall 
a  sacrifice  to  the  rage  and  malice  of  cruel,  and  unreasonable  men. 
This  puzzled  the  royal  prophet  David  ;  this  was  an  exercise  to 
patient  Job  ;  and  it  has  put  disciples  to  the  stand  in  all  ages.  Wc 
are  ready  to  cry  out,  "  Where  is  the  God  of  Elijah  !"  When  it  comes 
nearer  home,  and  we  eurselves  are  the  subjects  of  insults  and  inju- 
ries, from  the  power  and  malice  of  enemies  to  Jesus  and  his  truths  ; 
this  is  a  trial  of  faith.  If  this  exercise  is  continued,  if  the  enemy 
triumphs,  and  God  our  friend  appears  not,  as  our  deliverer,  how 
does  sutan,  who  has  stirred  up  fightings  without,  industriously  aim 
to  inject  fears  within  ;  with,  "where  is  now  thy  God  ?"  <  Why  dost 
thou  vainly  imagine  thyself  a  child  of  God,  while  thy  Father  leaves 
thee  to  this  cruel  treatment  ?  If  thou  wast  in  his  favor,  thou  wouldst 
surely  find  his  protection.  The  want  of  his  care  proves  thou  hast 
no  part  in  his  love.' 

Now  thou  art  called,  O  christian,  to  fight  and  resist  satan  stedfastly 
in  the  faith.  Judge  not  of  thy  Father's  love  by  present  dispensations. 
Strengthen  thyself  in  thy  God.  Consult  his  word.  Wait  on  him. 
Take  up  the  deceitful,  unclean  body  of  sense,  and  carnal  reason, 
bury  it,  and  go  and  tell  thy  Saviour.  He  is  thy  wisdom,  thy  coun- 
sellor ;  and  a  perfect  match  for  thy  subtlest  adversary.  It  is  very 
"alleviating  to  a  distressed  mind,  to  pour  its  complaints  into  the  sym- 
pathizing breast  of  a  faithful  fiiend.  What  is  the  cause  of  thy  sor- 
rows, make  the  subject  of  thy  free  converse  with  tliy  Saviour.  If 
thou  art  smitten  on  earth,  tell  him  who  feels  for  thee  in  heaven. 
Here  is  thy  comfort,  he  always  hears,  ever  loves,  and  can  instantly 
deliver.  But  if  he  does  not ;  rest  assured,  love  delays  for  thy  profit. 
Afllictions  are  blessings  in  disguise.  We  do  not,  so  heartily,  think  of 
our  home  above,  while  richly  furnished  with  earthly  comforts  bciow. 
Our  Lord  strips  us  of  them,  to  turn  our  thoughts  homeward.  But, 
we  shall  surely  find,  "  as  tribulation  abounds,  consolatian  shall  much 
more  abound."  Oui-Loi'd  advises,  "  Call  upon  me  in  the  day  of 
trouble,  and  I  will  deliver  thee,  and  thou  shalt  glorify  me,"  Psalm 
I.  15.  Prize  it  as  your  gi-catest  blessedness,  to  live  near  the  Lord, 
and  maintain  humble  converse  with  hira  :  pour  out  your  con'plaintSj 
and  shew  him  your  trouble,  Psalm  cxlii.  2. 

T.ord,  wc  adore  f  hy  vast  dosigns,  Wlicn  Orou  orray'st  thine  awful  fare, 

Th'  obncin*  a'jyss  of  proviilenee  !  In  r.i.t^iT  frowns  withoi'.t  a  smile  : 

Too  deep  to  sound  with  moc-tal  Uiics,  ^Vl ,  thro'  ihy  rloiiil?,  liolievc  thy  grace. 

Too  dark  to  view  witU  feeble  scusc.  Secure  of  thj  compassioa  still. 


,    JUNE  11.  175 

Then  said  these  men,  JFe  shall  not  find  any  occasion  agaijist 
this  Danielf  except  xve  find  it  against  him  concerning- 
the  law  of  his  God, — Dmi.  vi.  5. 
Happy  Daniel,  to  have  such  a  testimony  of  thy  conduct  from 
the  mouth  of  thine  implacable  enemies.  These  men  could  alledge 
liothing  against  this  servant  of  God,  in  regard  to  his  outward  life  and 
conversation  ;  for  he  was  a  good  subject,  a  quiet  neighbour,  just  and 
honest  in  his  dealings.  Though  in  an  eminent  station,  yet  with 
what  contempt  and  scorn  do  they  seem  to  speak  of  him  1  This  Daniel, 
this  over-righteous  fellow,  who  pretends  to  be  more  religious  than 
all  the  rest  of  his  neighbours.  As  it  was  m  the  beginning,  so  it  is 
now,  and  ever  will  be,  «  He  that  is  born  after  the  flesh,  will  perse- 
cute him  that  is  born  after  the  Spirit,"  Gal.  iv.  29.  What  then  ? 
our  enemies  no  sooner  assault  us,  witli  their  tongues,  but  our  God 
takes  our  part.  "  If  ye  be  reproached  for  the  name  of  Christ,  happy 
are  ye.  For  the  Spirit  of  glory,  and  of  God  resteih  upon  you," 
1  Pet.  iv.   1-1. 

But,  let  every  disciple  sec  to  it,  that  he  suiTcrs  as  a  christian. 
Tak-e  heed,  that  thy  life  ard  conduct  be,  as  bccometh  the  gospel.  It 
is  a  great  blessing  so  to  behave^  that  carnal  men  can  find  no  just 
occasion,  against  our  moral  conduct.  This  they  are  judges  of. 
Their  eyes  are  upon  us.  1  hey  watcii  over  us  for  evil.  This  ought 
to  make  us  very  circumspect.  Our  religion  they  abhor.  For  this, 
every  follower  of  the  Liimb  is  sure  to  be  hated,  for  his  master's  sake. 
"  Woe  be  unto  us,  when  all  men  speak  well  of  us,"  saitli  our  master, 
Luke  vi.  26.  They  seek  enough  against  us  ;  as  to  our  faith,  hope, 
and  life.  And  some  would  as  surely  cast  us  into  a  den  of  lions,  as 
they  did  Daniel,  were  it  practic:ible,  ^nd  pei-mittcd.  Yet,  they 
could  not  deprive  him  of  the  love,  presence  and  protection  of  the  Son 
of  God.  These  make  every  place  a  heaven  of  delight  and  joy.  And 
when  hated  of  all  men  for  his  sake,  he  pronounces  us  blessed,  bids 
us  rejoice,  and  hath  left  us  an  example,  patiently  to  follow  his  steps, 
Christ's  dying  prayer,  for  his  very  murderers,  was ;  "  Father, 
forgive  them  ;  for  they  know  not  what  they  do."  Ignorance  of  the 
truth,  is  the  cause  of  hatred  and  malice  aguiiist  his  sei^ants.  Hast 
not  thou  a  heart  topity,  and  a  tongue  to  pray  for  thy  enemies  ?  Here 
we  may  indulge  sweet  revenge.  These  weapons  we  may  always 
use.  And  how  knowest  thou,  but  the  most  furious  pcrsecuter,  like 
Paul,  may  be  a  chosen  vessel,  of  God  the  Father,  redeemed  by  the 
blood  of  Jesus — and  ere  to-morrow's  sun,  the  grace  of  the  |Ioly 
Spirit  may  make  him  an  humljle  penitent  ?  "  who  maketh  thee  to 
differ  from  another  ?  and  what  hast  thou,  that  thou  didst  not  receive  V 
1  Cor.  iv.  7.      . 

O  liappy  so'ils  w  ho  love  your  God,  Go  on  rcjoicinp  ev'n-  clay, 

And  whom  tlic  woilU  despise.  Eternal  life's  your  in-lze.  M. 


176  JUNE  12. 

For  Christ  is  entered  into  heaven  itself,  now  to  appear  in 
the  presence  of  God  for  us — Heb.  ix.  24. 

How  highly  was  Zacharias  honored  !  He  heard  the  gospel  of 
salvation  from  the  mouth  of  an  angel ;  who  Siud,  "  I  am  Gabriel, 
who  stand  in  the  presence  of  God,  and  am  sent  unto  tliee,  to  shew 
thee  these  ghul  tidings."  But  we  see  the  awful  efi'ects  of  unbelief. 
Though  thus  beloved  and  honored  of  God,  yet  he  was  struck  dumb 
for  a  season,  Luke  i.  20.  Though  God  most  dearly  loves  his  people 
in  Christ,  yet,  he  sees  their  sins,  and  with  fatherly  affection  chastises 
for  them.  Do  we  not  see  somewhat  of  our  own  case  here  ?  For,  as 
faith  inspires  the  heart  and  tongue  with  boldness,  so  unbelief  strikes 
us  dumb  We  cannot  speak  a  word,  nor  offer  a  plea  for  our  poor 
souls,  if  faith  lose  sight  of  Jesus.  But  he  never  forgets  us.  Our 
souls  are  never  neglected  by  him.  The  Lamb  is  in  the  midst  of  the 
throne /or  us.  In  our  nature,  in  the  same  human  body,  which  was 
hanged  on  the  tree,  with  five  pierced  wounds  in  his  hands,  his  feet, 
and  precious  side,  he  eippears  in  the  presence  of  God.  There,  like 
some  victorious  conqueror,  who  has  gloriously  delivered  his  couiitry, 
from  the  cruelty  and  rage  of  a  merciless  enemy,  he  glories  in  the 
scars  he  received  in  the  field  of  battle. 

When  Jesus  wept  over  dear  Lazarus  ;  see  how  he  loved  him,  said 
the  Jews.  But  when  poor  sinners  think  of  our  dear  Lord's  wouv.ds, 
crucifixion,  agonies^and  death,  O  what  infinitely  greater  reason  have 
we  to  say,  See  how  he  loved  us  !  see  how  he  still  loves  us.  Not- 
withstanding all  our  base,  unloving  behaviour  t6  him,  still,  O  soul- 
afTecting  truth  !  still»  he  appears  before  God, /or  ws  ;  he  presents 
his  once  mangled  body  ;  he  pleads  his  once  bleeding  wounds  in  our 
behalf,  as  the  atoning  sacrifice  for  our  sins,  for  our  salvation.  Thus 
glorified  Jesus,  norj  appears  in  the  presence  of  God,  for  us  ;  as  our 
dear  Mediator,  loving  Lord,  and  precious  Saviour,  our  affectionate 
advocate,  and  powerful  intercessor.  But  saith  the  adversary,  "  This 
is  a  cunnhigly  devised  fable."  What  profit  is  this  to  me  ?  saith  carnal 
reason,  bucked  wilh  unbelief.  But,  the  Spirit  of  truth  bears  witness 
to  this  ;  first,  in  type  and  figure  under  the  law  ;  and,  now  in  realily 
and  substance  in  the  gospel.  To  this  very  end,  that  at  any  time, 
when  sin  burdens  the  conscience  ;  sorrow  bows  down  the  heart, 
Joubts  arise  in  the  imnd,  and  fears  oppress  the  spirit,  the  poor  sinner 
wiiw,  with  confidence,  thus  consider  Jesus  :  look  unto  him  ;  and  call 
upon  him  :  and  find  this  to  be  the  food  of  his  faith,  and  the  support 
€>f  his  soul :  "  for  if  God  (Jesus)  be  for  us,  uho  can  be  against  us  :  ' 
Rom.  viii.  31. 

Lift  np  vonr  eyes  to  tli'  licaT'nly  scsit,  Petilinpr,  now,  and  prnise  may  rijif. 
Where  our  Redeemer  stays ;  \nd  saints  their  off 'ring  bring ; 

Kind  intercessor,  tliere  he  sits.  The  priest  « ith  hiS  own  sacrifiee 
And  fores,  and  pleads,  and  prays.  Hrerorft,  flrnm  to  fkp  V^'rriy;. 


JUNE   13.  177 

And  she  shall  bring  forth  a  son,  and  thou  shaltcallhis  name 
JESUS ;  for  he  shall  save  his  people  from  their  sins. 
— ALttt.  i.  21. 

O  PRECIOUS  birth  !  precious  son  !  precious  name  !  The  Holy 
Ghost  brings  consolation  to  the  hearts  of  poor  sinners,  from  the 
belief  of  the  manhood  of  Jesus.  To  this  end  the  comforter  bears  so 
particular  testimony  by  the  word  of  the  conception  and  birth  of 
Christ.  This  is  our  happiness  ;  utall  times  to  consider  the  Saviour 
as  «  Emanuel,  God  wiih  us  :"  our  brother  :  '•  flesh  of  our  flesh  and 
bone  of  our  bone."  As  Elihu  says  of  himself,  "  Behold  I  am,  ac- 
eordinjj  to  thy  wish,  in  God's  stead.  Behold,  my  terror  shall  not 
make  thee  afraid,  neither  shall  my  hand  be  heavy  upon  thee,"  Job 
xxxiii.  6,  ir.  Thus  to  conceive  of  Jesus,  is  a  sweet  mystery,  joy- 
fully known  to  believing-  hearts. 

The  Holy  Ghost  brings  joy  to  our  souls,  by  the  nanie  of  Jesus. 
This  name  is  above  every  name  to  us  :  it  is  "  as  precious  ointmer.t 
poured  forth:"  it  diff"useth  the  sweet  odour  of  the  Father's  everlasting 
love,  issuing  in  our  eternal  salvation.  In  the  name  of  Jesus  the 
whole  gospel  lies  hid.  The  Spirit  also  comforts  our  hearts.  By  the 
•work  of  Christ,  he  shall  save..  Here  is  not  an  if,  <x  perhaps,  or  per- 
advcnture  ;  but  a  positive  declaration,  what  he  absolutely  shall  do. 
He  shall  save  sinners  :  from  the  curse  of  the  law,  by  beiug  made  a 
curse  for  them  :  from  the  wrath  of  God  due  to  them,  by  suftering  in 
their  stead  :  from  the  punishment  their  sins  deserve,  by  the  atone- 
ment of  his  precious  blood  :  from  the  guilt  of  sin  in  their  conscience, 
by  the  sprinkling  of  his  blood  through  faith  :  from  tl\c  love  and  power 
of  sin  in  their  hearts  ;  by  the  grace  of  the  Spirit,  regenerating  and 
renewing  them  in  the  spirit  of  their  minds.  So  that  they  are  as  per- 
fectly saved  l?i  Jesus  from  sin,  as  though  they  had  never  fallen  into  sin. 
And  all  this  by  Jesus  :  by  no  strength,  power  or  ability  of  theirs. 

Who  docs  Jesus  thus  save  ?  "  His  people  :"  aU  his  peop.e,  of 
every  kindred,  nation,  tribe  and  tongue,  even  "  all  that  the  Father 
hath  given  him,"  John  xvii.  9.  Wlio  are  partakers  of  this  precious 
salvation  ?  iTv-ery  poor  sinner  who  believes  in  Jesus.  It  is  free  for 
all  who  come  to  him.  ./ill  who  do  come  to  him,  and  trust  in  him, 
find  he  is  their.  Jesus,  their  salvation.  O  believer,  here  is  the  nature, 
the  name,  the  word  of  thy  precious  JeSus  to  look  to  and  live  upon 
ft-om  day  to  day.  It  is  thy  mercy  that  salvation  is  his  work,  and  he 
hath  finished  it.  It  is  thy  comfort  to  believe  this  daily.  It  is  thy 
duty  to  give  Jesus  all  the  glory.  The  moi'c  light  thou  reccivest  from 
the  word  of  Jesus  and  the  Spirit  of  truth,  so  much  the  more  wilt  thou 
see  of  thine  own  vile  sinful  nature,  and  abhor  thyself.  How  long  ? 
even  until  thou  receivest  the  end  of  thy  faith,  the  salvation  of  tLiy- 
soul.  Then  wilt  thou  eternally  glory  only  in  th.c  infinite  peifecticn 
of  the  salvation  of  Jesus. 


178  JUNE  14. 

It  is  God  which  ivorkethin  you  both  to  rvill  and  to  do,  of 
his  good  pleasure. — Phil.  ii.  13. 

It  is  the  peculiar  blessing  of  every  new  creature  in  Christ  Je  sus 
to  be  «  renewed  in  knowledge."     As  tlie  soul  advances  in  the  divine 
life,  he  more  clearly  understands  the  heights  and  depths  of  the  mys- 
teries of  God's  grace,  by  the  word  of  the  Spirit  of  truth  :  so  also  he 
feels  more  and  more  of  the  workings  of  the  mystery  of  iniquity  within 
him.     Therefore,  he  has  done  with  talking  of  his  own  free  will,  and 
works  of  righteousness  having  any  share  in  obtaining  grace.     These 
notions  are  the  weeds  of  nature.     They  spring  from  pride.     Pride  is 
interwoven  with  our  very  constitution  and.bcing.     This  opposes  and 
rebels  against  our  own  mercies,  even  the  free-grace  truths  of  the 
gospel.     But  it  is  the  exercise  of  faith  to  svibmit  to  the  righteousness 
of  Jesus  :  to  bow  to  the  sovereignty  of  God's  will,  and  to  adore  his 
Spirit  who  worketh  in  us  to  will  and  to  do  of  his  own  good  pleasure. 
O  disciple  of  Jesus,  how  art  thou  sweetly  constrained  to  own  tl:ds  from 
the  rich  experience  of  the  truth  upon  thy  own  soul !  What  is  the 
natural  bent  of  thy  free  will,  but  to  reject  Jesus  the  Lord  of  life  and 
glory  ?     Its  language  is,  "  I  idll  not  have  this  man  to  reign  over 
me."     I  have  other  and  better  lovers,  and  after  them  I  nvill  go.     I 
•will  enjoy  the  pleasures  of  sin.     I  w///  love  the  world  :  I  will  take 
my  full  swing  in  the  gay  delights,  and  pleasing  profits,  and  glorious 
honors  of  it.     I  wllthe  saved  in  my  own  way,  for  my  own  works  :  I 
•will  woi  be  indebted  to  be  saved  by  grace  wholly.     Thus  the  natural 
frce-^vill  of  man  speaks  plain,  by  its  afiectioris  and  actions,  througji 
the  darkness  cf  the  understanding.     Thy  free  will  was  to  destroy  thy- 
self; it  was  the  will  of  the  Lord  to  save  thee  in  Christ  Jesus. 
Therefore  in  the  day  of  his  power,  the  Holy  Spirit  made  thee  willing 
to  come  to  Jesus  for  life  and  salvation.     With  free  choice,  and  cheer- 
ful willingness,  thou  earnest  in  fidth,  as  a  perishuig  sinner  to  a  pre- 
cious Saviour.     Wilt  thou  any  more  ascribe  any  glory  to  thy  will? 
wilt  thou  ever  suffer  thy  power  to  share  in' the  trophies  of  thy  Lord  ? 
Nay,  shall  not  free,  sovereign,  unmerited  grace,  have  all  the  glory  ? 
Is  not  this  the  daily  humble  prayer  of  thy  soul,  "Leave  me  not,  O 
Lord,  to  myself;  for  without  thee,  O  Jcsu,  I  can  do  nothing — nothuig 
but  sin  against  thee,  and  wound  my  own  soul."     If  thou  truly  dc- 
lightest  in  tlie  law  of  God  after  the  inv/ard  man,  it  is  the  delight  of 
thy  soi^  «  to  do  those  things  which  are  pleasing  in  his  sight."    Ever 
put  this  soul-lunnbling,  grace-exalting  question  to  thy  heart,  "  Who 
made  me  to  differ  ?    what  have  I  tliat  I  have  not  received  ?"     I  have 
nothing- in  mysclfwhereof  to  glory.     I  glory  in  him,  who  sailh,  "I 
will  work,  and  who  shall  let  it  ?"  Isa.  xliii.  13. 


JUNE  15.  179 

We  that  are  in  this  tabernacle  do  groany  being  burdened, — 
2  Cor.  V.  4. 

It  is  a  sore  temptation,  that  saints  of  God  in  all  ages  have  fallen 
under,  that,  upon  a  suj'vey  of  the  outward  ease,  pleasure,  and  pros- 
perity of  the  ungodly,  "  they  have  called  the  proud  happy,"  Mai. 
iii.  15 — and  under  a  sense  of  their  inward  groanings,  burdens  and 
sorro'AS,  have  been  led  to  think,  it  is  vain  to  serve  God,  and  call  in 
question  his  love  to  them  and  care  for  them.  Such  sentiments  as 
these,  at  times  exercise  their  minds:  '  I  called  by  grace  !  Is  my  soul 
quickened  and  made  alive  to  God  ?  have  I  fled  to  Jesus  for  refuge  ? 
am  I  a  child  of  God  by  adoption,  through  the  faith  of  Jesus  ?  Surely 
it  cannot  be.  Was  it  so,  should  1  be  thus  plagued  all  the  day,  and 
chastened  every  morning  ?  should  I  groan  thus  under  oppression 
from  satan,  tribulation  from  the  world  ;  and  be  thus  burdened  with 
the  lusts  of  the  flesh,  and  the  carnal  workings  of  corrupt  nature  ? 
Surely  if  ever  I  have  known  any  thing  of  Jesus  in  spirit  and  power,  it 
is  all  come  to  an  end  :  verily  I  have  cleansed  my  heart  in  vain,  and 
washed  my  hands  in  innocency  to  no  purpose.'  Thus  doth  the  subtle 
serpent  artfully  steal  into  the  mind,  and  borrows  the  tongue  of  saints. 
But  this  is  very  injurious  to  the  soul,  as  we  see  in  the  experience  of 
the  Psalmist,  73d  Psalm.  And  it  is  highly  resented  by  our  loving 
Lord  and  Saviour,  as  very  dishonorable  to  him.     See  !Mal.  iii.  1 3. 

Saints'  burdensare  creature  allotments;  believers'groansare  Jesus' 
concerns;  children's  sorrows  reach  the  Father's  heart  ;  they  are  the 
lotof  God's  people  in  every  age.  Prophets,  apostles,  martyrs,  and 
confessors  of  Jesus,  none  exempt  while  i)-;  this  tabernacle.  Yea,  they 
evidence  the  life  of  the  soul :  aiidalso,  under  the  Spirit's  influence, 
work  for  the  profit  of  the  soul.  Herehy  it  is  instructed  in  self-know- 
ledge, so  as  to  bow  to  the  sovereignty  of  God  in  humility  and 
dtp^ndence  on  Jesus.  Prayer  is  excited,  faith  is  called  into  exercise, 
God's  word  is  searched,  premises  are  prized,  exhortations  become 
pleasant,  carnal  hopes  are  cut  off,  worldly  joys  become  irksome, 
earth  is  less  loved,  and  a  sinful  body  groaned  Uiidcr,  makes  perfect 
freedom  in  glory  longed  for.  O  there  is  a  blessed  writ  of  ease  and 
rest,  issued  out  from  the  court  of  heaven  !  Soonit  Avill  be  served 
upon  us.  Then,  down  tabernacle  :  up  soul  to  the  presence  of  tliy 
Lord.  Farewel  groans.  Welcome  eternal  triumphs.  He  -is  a 
swret  portion  of  comfort;  druik  of  the  brook  by  the  way,  iind  lift  up 
thy  head  ;  "  Cast  thy  burden  upon  the  Lord,  and  he  sliall  sustain 
thee:  he  shall  never  suffer  the  righteous  to  be  moved,"  Psam  Iv.  22. 

Nov.-  If  t  my  Loril  my  Saviour  smile,  O  wliy,  my  soul,  -ftliy  tlicse  complaints  ? 

And  sli  •«'  liis  name  iijion  my  heart ;  Still  v. liilc  ho  fiowiis  hia  howc'.s  move  ; 

I  would  forgel  my  pains  awhile.  Still  on  his  licart  I»e  bears  his  saints, 

AU  ih  die  i)lcaiuj-c  1»3C  tfie  s2n.11 1.  Aud  feels  their  soit»ws  and  Jiis  lore. 


186  JUNE  16. 

The  ornament  of  a  meek  andquiet  spirit,  which  is  in  the 
sig-ht  of  God  of  great  price. — I  Pet.  iii.  4. 

Godly  parents  are  delighted  at  their  very  hearts,  if  they  see 
their  dear  children  partakers  of  the  grace  of  God.     How  joyful  to 
iicar  those,  who  are  part  of  one's  self,  enquire  after  Jesus  and  his 
salvation!  Love  and  duty  unite  to  constrain  us  to  teach  our  little  ones 
the  knowledge  of  Jesus  ;  to  instruct  them  in  the  ways  of  the  Lord. 
And  if  the  spirit  of  grace  is  pleased  to  crown  such  endeavours  with 
success,  infinitely  more  precious  is  the  adorning  of  grace  to  their 
immortal  souls,  than  all  the  gaiety  of  dress  to  their  perishing  bodies. 
As  we  to  ours,  so  doth  the  Lord  rejoice  overall  his  dear  children 
in  Christ  Jesus.     He  takes  pleasure  in  their  dress,  which  is  the  robe 
of  his  Son's    righteousness.     Their  ornaments,  which  is  the  robe 
of  his  Spirit,  are  delighting  to  his  eyes.     "  He  makes  them  all- 
glorious  within  :"  he  loves  his  own  image,  which  he  hath  formed  by 
his  Spirit,  "  in  the  hidden  man  of  the  heart."    Both  the  inward  graces 
iind  the  outward  fruits  are  an  ornament  to  them  ;  and  are  "  of  great 
price  in  the   sight  of  their  heavenly  Father."     By  daily  fellowship 
with  our  God  and  Saviovir,  we  get  more  and  more  "  conformed  to  his 
likeness."     By  close  walking,  constant  communing,  free  conversing 
with  Jesus,  love  is  maintained  in  the  heart  :  and  a  meek  and  quiet 
spirit  ever  accompanies  love.     Where  the  former  is  wanting,  the 
declinings  of  the  latter  are  evident.     As  faith  works  by  love,  so  love 
shev.'s  itself  by  meekness  of  spirit  and  quietness  of  behaviour.  There 
is  a  sv/eet  harmony  in  the  graces  of  the   Spirit.     By  faith  the  soul 
abides  in  Jesus,  and  receivcth  out  of  his  fulness.     By  love  the  heai't 
is  comfortable.     And  as  Peter  and  John  said  to  the  beggar,  "  What 
we  have  i-eceivcd  of  the  Lord,  that  we  give  unto  you."     So  the  chris- 
ti.in  dispenses  out  of  his  heart,  love  to  his  brethren,  and  is  peaceable 
and  quiet  to  all  m.inkind.     Love  controuls  the  boisterous  passions 
of  nature.     Love  constrains  to  meekness  of  temper  and  quietness  of 
spirit.     We  sadly  mistake,  and  are  greatly  deceived  by  our  corrupt 
nature,,  carnal  reason,  and  the  subtilty  of  satan,  when  we  act  with 
any  other  spirit,  and  attempt  to   find  an  excuse  for  it.     Nay,  but  it  is 
unbecoming  our  character,  a  disgrace  to  our  profession,  a  dishonor 
to  our  Saviour  ;  it  grieves  the  Spirit ;  is  a  badge  of  satan's  livery  ;  a 
fiuit  of  the  flesh,  and  is  contrary  to  the   Spirit.  The  wrath  of  man 
\vork^th  not  the  righteousness  of  God,  peace  of  men,  nor  the  com- 
fort of  the  soul.     ''  Put  on  us  the  elect  of  God,  meekness,"  Col. 
iii.   12, 

P>!cssM  are  tliemeck,  who  stand  afar  Ulcss'd  arc  tlie  men  of  peaceful  litif, 

I'l-om  rngi;  and  piissioii,  noise  and  Mar  :  AV  lio  riucucli  (lie  coids  of  grpwiug  strifr, 

«n(l  will  H^puvc  their  happy  state.  They  slial!  be  call'd  the  l;oirs  nfliliss. 

And  plead  ttieir  cause  a^jajubtthe  j;rcat.  Tke  sous  of  Ciod,  Ac  God  ol'pcaec. 


'     JUNE  17.  181 

For  the  Lord  will  not  forsake  his  people  for  his  great 
name'* s  sake  :  Because  it  hath  pleased  the  Lord  to  iiuike 
you  his  people. — i  Sam.  xii.  22. 

The  prophet  Samuel,  like  the  upostle  Piailj  "  i^hur.ned  not  to 
declare  all  the  counsel  of  God,"  Acts  xx.  27.  They  leurcd  no  licen- 
tious consequences  from  pn-iiching  the  fuith-estt.blishing,  soul-com- 
forting truth  of  God's  unchungeuble  love  to  his  people.  Yet  Suniucl 
encourages  the  people  to  cleuve  close  unto  the  Lord,  and  not  tura 
aside  from  following  him ;  assuring  diem,  if  they  walked  contrary 
to  the  Lord,  though  he  would  never  change  in  his  love,  or  cast  off 
his  people,  <•  whom  he  did  fore-know,"  yet  he  would' change  in  his 
conduct  and  dealings  tOAvards  tl'.em.  "  God  will  surely  visit  their 
transgression  with  a  rod,  and  their  iniquity  with  stripes  ;  nevertlie- 
less,  his  lovhig-kindncss  he  will  rtot  utterly  take  away,  nor  suffer  his 
faithfulness  to  fall,"  Psalm  Ixxxix.  52,  33.  Like  a  tender  and 
alTccdonate  parent  to  a  disobedient  child,  his  love  is  ever  the  same 
when  he  con-ects,  as  when  he  dandles  on  the  knee.  It  is  of  the 
Lord's  good  pleasure  only,  that  he  chuses  and  makes  a  people  for 
his  glory.  He  calls  them  to  himself  by  sovereign  grace.  The  honor 
of  his  name,  and  the  perfection'  of  his  attributes,  are  engaged  for 
their  safety  and  salvation. 

The  faith  of  a  christian,  how  firm  its  Coundation  !  It  builds  on  the 
rock  of  ages,  the  eternal  truth  of  an  unchanging  God  of  love.  His 
"  hope  is  an  anchor  to  the  soul,  both  sure  and  stedfast,  which  is 
eternal  within  the  veil,  whither  the  forerunner  for  us  is  entered, 
even  Jesus,"  Heb.  vi.  19,  20.  How  then  should  our  love  be  in- 
flamed, and  burn  with  incessant  ardor  to  our  ever-loving  Lord  and 
Saviour  ?  Hath  it  pleased  the  Lord  to  put  me  among  his  children  ? 
to  make  me  one  of  his  people  ?  It  was  free,  unmerited  love.  Hath 
the  blessed  Spirit  enriched  my  heart,  with  faith  in  precious  Jesus  ? 
hath  he  in  his  word,  over  and  over  assured  us,  that  "  he  will  never 
leave  nor  forsake,  but  whom  he  loves  he  loves  to  the  end  ?"  Why  is 
all  this  ?  Even  because  it  pleased  the  Lord  :  »'  so  it  seemed  good  m 
his  sight."  And  have  I  sinned  ?  Heart-wounding  thought !  sinned 
against  his  love  ?  am  I  backslidden  in  affection  ?  grown  cold  and  in- 
different to  the  kindest  and  best  of  beings  ?  Shameful  ingratitude  !  Is 
the  love  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus,  the  source  of  all  present  grace,  the 
security  of  future  glory  ?  Verily  it  should  sink  poor  sinners  to  the 
lowest  humility  ;  affect  with  the  deepest  self-abasement  and  sorrow 
for  sin  ;  yet  excite  godly  hope  and  rejoicing  in  Christ  Jesus  ;  and 
influence  to  the  most  cheerful  diligence  of  serving  a  God  of  love, 
"without  fear,  in  holiness  jind  righteousness  before  him,  all  the 
days  of  our  life."  "  This  is  the  love  of  God,  tlmt  we  keep  his  com- 
marsdments,"   1  Jojm  v.  3. 

Vp&.  L  Y 


182  JUNE  18. 

Because  in  him  there  is  found  some  good  thing  toward 
the  Lord  God  of  Israel^  in  the  house  of  Jeroboam,^^ 
1  Kings  xiv.  13. 

Such  was  the  testimony  which  the  Lord  gave  by  his  prophet  ot 
young  Abijuh,  the  son  of  wicked  Jeroboam.  1  he  father  was  brand- 
ed, even  to  a  jjroverb  for  his  abominable  wickedness.  Behold,  the 
son  is  recorded  by  the  Lord  for  his  goodness  :  singled  out  from  the 
whole  house  of  his  father,  to  be  blessed  of  his  God,  and  to  come  to 
his  grave  in  peace. 

Children  of  grace  often  spring  fiom  the  loins  of  ungodly  parents. 
The  offspring  of  godly  parents,  often  appear  graceless.  Grace  is 
not  hereditary.  Grace  is  the  sovereign  gift  oi  God.  Parents  may 
and  ought  to  give  good  instructions,  but  God  only  makes  them,  suc- 
cessful. Some  good  thing  would  not  have  been  found  in  young 
Abijah,  if  the  Lord  had  not  put  it  there.  It  was  of  the  will  of  the 
Lord,  or  because  the  Lord  was  his  father,  as  his  name  Abijali  sig- 
nifies. God's  covenant  children,  though  by  nature  children  of 
wrath,  and  though  in  their  "  flesh  dwells  no  good  tiling ;"  yet, 
through  the  grace  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  "  they  are  created  anew  in 
Christ  Jesus,  in  righteousness  and  true  holiness,  unto  good  works;'* 
and  after  the  inward  mJn,  *'  they  delight  in  the  law  of  God  "  Some 
good  thing  is  found  in  them,  which  manifests  itself  in  love,  fear  and 
obedience  to  the  Lord  their  God.  The  graces  of  the  Holy  Spirit 
in  the  hearts  of  belie'veis,  and  tlie  fruits  of  the  Sipirit  in  tlieir  lives, 
are  evidences  in  time,  of  God's  covenant  to  them  in  Christ  Jesus 
before  time.  God  views  the  work  of  his  new  creation  in  the  soul 
with  delight ;  pi-onounces  it  good^  and  to  his  own  glory  records  the 
graces  of  his  people.     What  comes  from  God  leads  to  liim. 

Thus  we  see  "  some  good  thing"  found  in  the  heart  of  Abijali, 
manilesting  itself  in  the  wicked  house  of  Jeroboam,  to  the  glory  of 
Jehovah  the  God  of  Israel.  O  how  hic,hly  honored  are  some  wh» 
Jire  converted  to  God's  glory  and  service  in  the  morning  of  youth  I 
while  the  sun  of  righteousness  doth  not  rise  upon  oUiers,  till  the 
sun  of  nature  is  near  setting.  Hath  distiiiguishing  grace  made  us  t» 
differ,  as  well  from  our  former  selves,  as  from  others  ?  It  is  all  from 
the  love  of  the  Father  through  Jesus  Christ,  by  the  power  of  the 
Spirit.  We  have  nothing  whereof  to  glory  in  ourselves,  nor  over 
othens  ;  it  is  our  duty  to  confess  it  with  our  lips,  and  manifest  it  iii 
our  lives.  May  it  encourage  us  daily  to  Trulk  iu  fidili  and  love. 
<'The  just  shall  live  by  faith,"  Heb.  x.  38. 


JUNE  19.  183 

Let  n»  man  beguile  you  of  your  rexvard  -^Co\.  W.  18. 

Thf.re  is  a  present  reward  of  fjrace  eii|«)yc(l  in  the  hearts  of 
the  faithful,-  which-  consists  in  pardon  of  sui»  peace  ot  ccnsciu  ce, 
and  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost.  These  are  the  rewards  of  Josiis'  toils 
and  suff''rinp:s  for  us  Since  an  artful  and  subtle  stipci.t  h.  U;  ;j.  ii.cd 
access  to  the  human  heart,  we  can  never  be  warned  too  n.ucli  to 
l)cware  of  nnen.  Satan  deceived  mcji  at  the  beginning  by  uk  ui.s  of 
parr  of  himself.  He  still  beguiles  men  by  niuii  Though  thi.  .x\\x  r- 
sary  cannot  pluck  one  of  Christ's  sheep  oiit  of  his  h.ijuls,  noi  rob  ilie 
loving  Saviour  of  one  of  the  precious  jewels  of  his  mediatorial  crown, 
atill  we  are  to  consider  hini  as  a  restless,  implac.blc  foe,  wiio  will 
stl'ive  by  all  means  to  perplex  and  distrtss  our  souls.  •  Has  jc-hovah 
Jesus  appeared  to  us  in  the  vision  of  faith  ?  Hath  he  sp(>kcii  to  our 
trembling  hearts  in  his  word  and  by  his  Spirit,  as  he  did  to  the 
father  of  the  faithful  ?  "  Fear  not,  I  am  thy  shield,  aiid  thy  exct  tciing 
great  reward,"  Gen  xv.  1.  Like  the  oiacies  in  the  Oiyn  pic 
games,  we  must  expect  false  jvidges,  corruptee  un.pires,  wl.owiil 
judge  against  us  ;  determine  the  prize  conttaiy  to  our  I'.iith  aiid  i.c  pe 
in  free-grace  promises  and  sovereign  deterninatioiis. 

They  will  judge  against  the  ttuth  and  glory  of  out-  prize,  as  though 
we  were  not  complete  in  Christ' Jesus  ;  as  though  wc  wtre  not  wise 
by  his  wisdom  ;  righteous  by  his  righteousness  ;  holy  by  his  holiiitss; 
perfectly  redeemed  from  rJl  sin,  curse  and  wrath,  by  iiis  couiplete 
redemption  ;  but  that  somewhat  is  to  be  found  and  trusted  to  in 
nature  and  self,  to  entitle  us  to  God's  grace,  and  secure  to  us  a 
crown  of  glory.  Blessed  admonition!  "Let  no  man  begu'le  you," 
judge  against  you,  ye  free-born,  heaven-born  souls,  concerning  the 
perfect  freeness,  and  infinite  fulness  of  your  prize,  your  reward, 
Jesus.  For  by  this  they  would  weaken  your  faith,  disturb  your 
peace,  and  oppose  your  comfort.  So  they  would  beguile  you  to  run 
uncertainly ;  as  tliough  your  hopes  were  suspended  on  your  own 
fLiithfulness  to  grace,  your  fulfilling  terms  and  conditions,  whereby 
to  secure  the  prize.  Ever  reject  such  selfish,  mercenary,  base, 
compounding  notions  with  detestation  ;  as  contrary  to  covenant  love 
and  gospel  grace  ;  dishonoring  to  our  precious  Saviour,  and  grieving 
to  the  holy,  sovereign  Spirit,  who  bears  witness,  that  "thcieiba 
remnant  according  to  the  election  of  grace  ;  that  the  prize  is  ad- 
judged to  them  "by  grace,  not  of  works;  otherwise  grace  is  no 
more  grace  :  but  if  it  be  of  works,  then  it  is  no  more  of  grace  ;  olner- 
^vise  work  is  no  more  work,"  Rom.  xi.  5,  .0. 

1-ii-m  .IS  ihc  earth  thy  gospel  stands,  Hk  lionoris  engag'd  to  m^e 

My  Lord,  ray  hope,  my  trust ;  'Wic  incHncKt  of  his  slie  eji  ; 

=    r  am  found  iaJe.sus'  hands.  All  that  his  hcp.v'nly  Fjihcr  gavf, 

&lj  so»l  can  ne'er  Ic  lost.  His  Lands  setMitly  k«  \\. 


184  JUNE  20. 

Vtrily  thou  art  a  God  that  hide st  thyself^  0  God  of  Israel 
the  Saviour. — Isa.  xlv.  15. 

Mourning  under  a  sense  of  sin,  and  complaining  of  inbred 
corruptions,  are  consistent  with  faith  in  Jesus,  and  rejoicing  in  his 
salvation.  Sorrowing  under  the  painful  sense  of  an  absent  God,  has 
been  the  experience  of  saints  in  all  ages ;  few,  if  any,  have  been 
exempt  from  it.  And  this  is  an  evidence  that  they  have  felt  his  com- 
forting presence,  enjoyed  the  smiles  of  his  love,  and  rejoiced  in  the 
light  of  his  countenance.  So  the  life  and  love  of  the  soul  is  mani- 
fested. A  christian  is  known  by  his  sorrows,  as  well  as  joys.  He 
sorrows  after  a  godly  sort. 

But  why  should  a  God  of  love  hide  himself  from  his  dear  children? 
Wo  may  say,  he  is  a  sovereign,  luid  answer  in  the  words  of  Eiihu, 
Job  xxxiii.  1 3,  "  He  giveth  not  account  of  any  of  his  matters."  But 
it  is  most  sweet  to  say  with  David,  ''  Continually  let  tlie  Lord  be 
magnified,  who  hath  pleasure  in  the  prosperity  of  his  servants,'' 
Psalin  XXXV.  27.  Therefore  when  God  hides  himself  from  the  souls 
of  his  believing  children,  it  is  in  love,  wisdom,  and  faithfulness  to 
them  ;  it  is  to  advance  his  own  glory,  and  to  further  tlie  prosperity 
of  their  souls.  But  he  never  leaves  himself  without  a  witness  in 
their  hearts,  for  we  see  the  church  addresses  him  though  he  hideth 
himself — sweetly  applies  to  him  as  Jesus  the  only  Saviour.,  and 
uttei's  her  cnmpLdnts  before  him,  "  Ihou  hidest  thyself,"  and  I  am 
troubled.  So  the  withdrawing  of  the  com.forting  warmth  of  the  sun, 
makes  vegetable  nature  droop  and  languish,  and  it  mourns  in  silent 
sadness.  But  the  root  is  stiil  alive,  and  it  will,  when  the  sun  returns, 
bring  forth  its  fruit  in  due  season.  Backward  springs,  often  produce 
the  most  plentiful  harvest.  So  the  Lord  teaches  his  sovereignty, 
roots  the  soul  in  humility,  prevents  the  growth  of  spiritual  pride, 
reproves  a  careless  walk,  chides  for  worldly-niindcdness,  causes 
great  searchings  of  heart,  ernbitters  sin,  excites  to  holy  mourning, 
calls  forth  earnest  longings,  restless  seekings,  and  fervent  prayings. 
«'  Saw  ye  him  whom  my  soul  loveth  ?"  will  be  the  restless  enquiry  of 
a  loving,  deserted  heart.  I  cannot  live  without  him  :  his  presence  is 
heaven  ;  his  absence  is  hell.  Soul,  ever  beware:  of  lending  thine  ear 
for  a  moment  to  any  base  suggestion,  cor.trary  to  this  sweet  clcckra- 
tion  of  an  imchanging  Xiod  of  truth  and  love  :  "  In  a  litte  wrath  I 
hid  my  face  from  thee  for  a  moment,  but  with  everlasting  kindness 
w'xW  ^havc  mercy  on  thcc,  sailh  the  Lord,  tiiv  Redeemer,"  Isa. 
liv.  8. 

'  riov  boiindlcw  is  our  FnOier's  .uracc,  AVIi^it  t.lio'  I  nionru  .in  liidiiig  Coil, 

« In  licight  and  deiitli  and  longlli :  His  r;iilliridiich.s  I  trust, 

«  He  rnadehissorionr  ri;,')ilcoutiicss.  His  word,  lii  dove,  can  never  fail;  ~ 

» HisSin-f  ;.;..ii]- ,t!'aigth.*  ThcLordIscrTe--isjust.              M. 


JUNE  21.  185 

God  is  no  rpftpccter  ofperaojis :  Put  in  every  iint'ion  lie  that 
feareth  Godandworkcth  rightcousncas,  is  acctptcdwith 
him  —^.\zis  X.  34,  oS. 

It  is  a  cocnsnon,  artful  device  of  thy  adversary  to  insinuate, 
"  one  part  of  scripture  opposes  and  contradicts  another."  Hereby  he 
aims  to  distress  the  minds,  weaken  the  confidence  of  disciples,  and 
to  render  the  doctrines  of  grace  of  no  esteem.  Ttic  Uiiieanied  and 
unstable  in  the  truths  of  free  grace  salvation,  "  wrest  tliis,  as  they 
do  .ilso  other  texts  of  scripture,  to  their  own  destruction."  It  was 
farthest  from  St.  Peter  to  make  this  declaration»  to  subvert  the  fun- 
damental truths  of  the  gospel,  c.nd  the  one  only  way  of  saivalion  taught 
by  liimself ;  namely,  by  "election,  accordmg  to  the  fore-knowiedgc 
of  God  the  Father,  through  the  sunctifioatioii  of  the  Spirit  unto  obedi- 
ence, and  sprinkling  of  the  blood  of  Jesus  Cnrist,"  1  Pet.  i.  2. 

But  he  now  perceived  of  a  truth  that  this  blessing  came  equally 
alike  upon  Gentiles  as  well  us  Jews.  "  God  is  no  respecter  of  per- 
sons." This  is  a  most  comfortable  truth  to  the  vilest  of  the  human 
race.  There  is  nothing  that  claims  respect  in  the  person  of  one  mart 
above  another  in  the  sight  of  God.  "  All  are  aiike  corrupt  and 
become  abominable.  There  is  naturally  no  fear  of  God  before  our 
eyes.  There  is  none  that  doth  good  ;  no  not  one."  Theie  is  no 
difference,  Jew  and  Gentile,  publican  and  phuiisee,  outwardly 
devout,  and  openly  prophane,  are  all  upon  a  levci  in  point  of  justi- 
fication before  God.  Enlightened  souls  see  and  own  this  in  deep 
humility,  and  self-abasement  :  while  proud  pharisecs  chalieiige  and 
claim  respect  from  God,  because  they  think  their  persons  and  cha- 
raters  are  more  amiable  in  his  sight  than  others. 

But  saith  Moses,  «  The  Lord  your  God  is  a  mighty  and  terrible 
God,  whoregardcth  not  persons,  nor  take  the  reward,"  Deut.  x.  17. 
What  reward  can  poor  sinners  give  to  procure  God's  regard,  bribe 
his  justice,  or  avert  his  wrath  ?  Do  they  naturally  lear  God  and  work 
righteousness  in  order  to  this  ?  Lay  thine  hand  upon  thine  heart, 
O  soul  ;  judge  as  in  the  sight  of  God.  Say,  was  this  thy  natural 
conduct  and  patience  towards  him  ?  God  knoweth,  to  hate  him  and 
work  wickedness  is  the  natural  state  and  practice  of.theeai.d  of  all 
men.  But  yet  he  that  feareth  God  and  worketh  righteousness,  be 
he  who  or  whathe  will,  is  accepted  with  God.  For  this  is  a  fail 
proof  of  being  "accepted  in  the  beloved  Jesus."  The  Lord  puts  his 
fear  in  one's  heart  according  to  covenant  promise,  Jer.  xxxii.'40. 
He  renews  us  in  righteousness  and  true  holiness.  Hence  our  practice 
is  agreeable  to  our  state.  Prayers  and  alms  come  up  LvK^re  tl.c 
Loid  as  a  memorial  of  what  he  has  done  on  the  heart.  And  "  the 
same  Lord  over  all,  is  rich  in  mercy  to  all  that  call  upon  him. 
Whosoever  shall  call  upon  the  iii  me  of  the  Lord,  shall  be  saved," 
Rom.  X.  12,  13. 


186  JUNE  22. 

flinch  is  not  another  f gospel  J,  hut  there  be  some  that 
trouble  you  and  would  pervert  the  gospel  of  Christ.-^ 
Gal.  i.  7. 

Trouble  us  indeed !  it  is  our  wisdom  to  hear  preaching  with  aa 
attentive  mind,  an  humble  heart,  and  a  godly  jealousy  over  what  is 
spoken.  The  sweet  sound  of  the  gospel  is  joy  to  the  heart,  and  as 
marrow  and  fatiicss  to  the  soul  ;  for  it  proclaims  nothing  but  good 
news  of  gl.id  tidings.  This  is  its  nai^ae  :  its  nuture  and  properties 
perfectly  agree  therewith.  Here  it  is  called,  Acts  xx.  24,  The 
^osi:fcl  of  the  grace  of  God  ;  or  good  news  of  his  free  favor.  And 
Ephes.  i.  13,  "  The  gospel  of  salvation  ;  or  glad  tidings  of  salvation 
by  Christ  only."  It  was  the  wisdom  of  Adam  to  distinguibh  aud  give 
a  proper  name  to  every  creature  of  God.  Every  christian  should 
imitate  him  in  knowledge,  to  distinguish  the  law  from  the  gospel,  and 
to  call  each  by  its  proper  name.  For  wiien  the  law  of  works  and  gos- 
pel of  grace  are  blended  together,it  puzzles  the  mind  and  disturbs  the 
conscience.  We  may  say  of  the  gospel,  as  Tertullus  said  of  Caesar, 
"  By  thee  we  enjoy  great  cjuietncss,"  Acts  xxiv.  2.  For  by  it  the 
mind  and  conscience  of  the  believer  is  filled  with  peace  and  comfort, 
prom  hence  springs  his  love  to  God,  and  holy  conformity  to  his  will. 
But  preaching  terms  and  conditions  to  be  performed  by  us,  in  order 
to  entitle  to  gospel  grace,  hath  a  native  tendency  to  distress  the  mind, 
weaken  faith,  damp  love,  deject  hope,  and  of  conseqixencc  make  the 
belicA'er  less  zealous  of  good  works.  Yet,  throusi;h  blindness  and 
ignorance,  so}ne  call  this  gospel ;  but  Paul  denies  it :  he  says,  «  It 
is  not  another,"  he  won't  mention  gospel.  It  deserves  not  the  name^ 
it  is  a  mere  system  of  man's  devising.  O  but  if  there  is  great  talk 
«f  tlie  interest  of  morality,  and  a  specious  pretence  to  holuiess,  this 
makes  a  great  shew  in  the  flesh,  so  as  to  trouble  some,  and  deceive 
many.  But  such  "prevent  the  gospel  of  Christ;  the  everlasting 
gospel."  For  that  proclaims  eternal  election,  everlasting  love,  i\x\ 
e.stablished  cpvcnaut  of  grace  ;  brings  everlasting  consolations  to  the 
soul,  by  an  everlasting  righteousness  through  faith  :  and  sure  and 
certain  salvation  to  every  believer.  7 hf  gon/ie!,  like  some  stately- 
ship,  is  richly  laden  with  the  most  munificent  blessings  of  the  patri- 
mony of  our  Father ;  the  last  will  and  testament  of  our  precious 
Saviour,  freely  consigned  under  the  testimony  of  the  Sphit,  to  us 
poor,^nst,  perishing  sinners.  O  heliever  I  study  the  immense  value 
and  riches  of  the  gospel :  be  on  thy  guard,  lest  any  deprive  thy  mind 
of  its  frceness  and  fuhiess.  Gospel-pervcrtcrs  are  conscicnce-troub- 
Jcrs.  Listen  not  to  their  specious  guiles,  lesr  thy  mind  be  perplexed. 
Glory  to  our  God,  here  is  our  mercy;  though  false  teachers  shall 
arise,  though  they  mpy  trouble,  yet  "  it  is  impossible,  saith  our 
Bariour,  tliat  they  should  deceive  the  elect  of  God," '  I\Ii\t.t.x:av.2l, 


.      JUNE  23.  187 

And  the  C6unsel  of  peace  shall  be  between  them  both,^ 

Zfch.  vi.  13. 
With  wlnit  n.pturc  and  ecstacy  of  soul  ihe  good  old  p:uir.uxu 
Israel  hcurd  of  his  son  Joseph  ?  Not  only  ulive,  but  also  governor  ok' 
the  land  of  Ei;ypt.  "  It  is  cnon^-hy"  si-id  he.  As  ihough  he  could 
enjoy  no  n^orc.  How  then  ought  Uic  hearts  of  poor  sinners  to  be 
filled  with  jov,  and  fired  with  transport  to  hear  that  their  incnd  an4 
brother,  Jesus,  lives  for  evermore  ;  that.  «  the  government  is  upon 
his  shoulders:  tlu.t  he  is  their  King  and  Uieir  Priest  upon  his 
throne:  that  the  counsel  of  peace  is  established,  fixed  md  unalterably 
established,  between  the  Father  and  him  on  their  account  I  Surely, 
if  we  believe  this,  as  verily  as  Jacob  believed  the  report  concerning 
his  son,  we  shall  also  cry  out  with  hun,  li  ts  enough,  perfectly  suf- 
ficient. More  joyful  nows  cannot  be  heard.  More  coriifortable  truth 
•onnot  be  believed.  Fuller  evidence  cannot  be  desired.  Stronger 
proofs  cannot  be  given  than  is  revealed  of  the  covenant-transactions 
•fthe  adorable  trinity,  in  behalf  of  sinners  of  mankind. 

Here  is  the  Lord  of  hosts,  and  the  wan,  the  blessed  man,  who 
is'called  the  branch.  And  see  we  not  the  third  person  in  the  divine 
•ssence  ?  For  the  establishing  of  faith,  be  it  eyer  remembered, 
tliough  the  Father  and  the  Son  only  are  often  mentioned  in  scrip- 
ture ,  yet  the  Lord  the  Spirit  in  his  oflice  is  evidently  to  be  seen  and 
©Icarly  to  be  known.  For  whatever  is  covenanted  tuid  agreed  between 
God  the  Father  and  Son,  is  manifested  iuid  revealed  and  enjoyed  ia 
the  heart  by  the  holy  Spirit.  We  had  never  heard  of  this  blessed 
peace,  had  it  not  been  by  the  Holy  Ghost  through  the  word  of  truth. 
Therefore  it  is  « the  Spirit  that  bears  witness,  because  the  Spirit  is 
truth,"  1  John  v.  6.  Ever  bear  this  in  thy  mir^d,  disciple.  As 
thou  hadst  not  known  sin,  but  by  the  law  :  so  thou  couldst  not  have 
any  knowledge  of  peace  and  pardon,  but  by  the  gospel  through  the 
Spirit.  He  is  the  revealer,  sealer  and  applier  of  all  grace,  peace, 
love  and  holiness.  "  The  love  of  the  Father  is  slied  abroad  in  ouv 
hearts  by  the.Holy  Ghost  given  unto  us."  «  He  shall  testify  of  nie,'* 
saith  Jesus  :  all  my  members  shall  l)C  taught  of  him  :  "  He  shall 
glorify  me,"  John  xvi.  15.  Here  is  a  peace  established  betweeu 
heaven  and  earth  :  between  the  righteous  Lord  and  sinful  man,  firm 
•^s  a  rock,  durable  as  the  ages  of  eternity. 

God  the  Father  is  the  author  of  this  peace.  Jesus  hath  obtained 
this  peace  by  the  blood  of  his  cross.  Rt-i)el  s  and  traitors  against  God, 
arc  made  the  subjects  of  this  peace.  The  Spirit  begets  faith  in  the . 
heart.  He  applies  the  grace  of  God  which  passeth  all  understanding 
to  the  soul  through  the  faith  of  Jesus.  And  thougii  all  in,  nature, 
an,  satan,  and  the  world  are  at  war  with  us  ;  snll  this  is  our  glory, 
'^  Jcsns  is  •tir  pcRct',"  Eph.  ii.  H. 


188  JUNE  24; 

In  the  multitude  of  my  thoughts  within  me^  thy  comforts 
delight  my  soul — Psalm  xciv.  19. 

Vain  thoughts  and  carnal  reasonings,  like  impertinent  visitors, 
often  intrude  upon  the  christian's  mind.  In  this  depraved  state  it 
cannot  be  otherwise.  Though  born  again  of  the  Spirit,  and  our 
minds  renewed  by  grace  ;  still  our  old  friends,  our  present  foes,  the 
world,  the  flesh,  and  the  devil,  will  furnish  us  with  various  exercises 
from  troublesome  thoughts.  Tl)at  they  do  cause  grief,  are  preyed 
against,  and  resisted,  is  a  blessed  evidence  of  a  regenerate  soul ; 
which  is  also  fed,  delighted,  and  comforted  with  the  spiritual  trviths 
•f  Hod's  gracious  word. 

Thcr(;,  are  frequent  seasons  when  God's  dear  children  are  exercis- 
ed with  distressing,  gloomy  thoughts.  Afflictions  are  painful  and 
grievous  to  the  flesh  ;  then  how  naturally  do  these  murmuring  and 
repining  thoughts  arise  ?  ''  Are  these  the  tokens  of  God's  love  ?  how 
can  I  who  am  thus  visited  with  such  sorrow^,  pain,  and  trouble,  think 
the  I^ord  loves  me  with  the  love  of  a  tender  father,  or  that  I  am  his 
child  ?"  The  sight  of  our  vile  polluted  nature,  corrupt  lusts,  sinful 
passions  and  affections,  sink  and  discourage  our  spirits.  A  multi- 
tude of  thoughts  arise  within  ;  how  can  I  have  faitli  in  Jesus,  love  to 
him,  and  delight  in  his  ways,  while  I  find  so  much  in  me  contrary 
to  his  will,  and  \inconformcd  to  his  image  ?  If  the  Lord  hides  away 
his  face,  and  withdraws  the  comforting  sense  of  his  presence,  then 
these  dejecting  thoughts  beset  us  :  God  is  acting  in  wrath  against 
us — liis  mercy  is  clean  gone  forever.  And  with  the  church  we  are 
apt  to  think,  "The  Lord  hath  forsaken  me  :  my  Lord  hath  forgotten 
me,"  Isa.  xlix.  I'L 

This  is  all  very  natural.  Eut  what  says  the  voice  of  grace  ?  Most 
cheering,  most  delighting  to  the  harrassed  mind.  <' Many  arc  the 
troubles  of  the  righteous,  but  the  Lord  delivers  out  of  them  all  :'* 
"As  many  as  I  love,  I  rebuke  and'cliasten,"  Rev.  iii.  I9.  "  Can 
a  woman  forget  a  sucking  child,  that  she  siiouM  not  have  compassion 
on  the  srnn  of  her  womi)  ?  Yea,  she  may  forget ;  but  I  will  not  forget 
thee,"  Isa  xlix.  15.  "This  man  (,Tcsus)'receivcth  sinners,"Xukc 
XV.  2.     "  His  blood  cleanseth  from  all  sin,"   1  John  i.  7. 

God's  immutable  love,  unchangeable  covenant,  eternal  trutli,  sa- 
cred word,  precious  promises,  and  solemn  oalh,  all  stand  cngagcci  for 
the  safety  and  salvation  of  souls  redeemed  by  Jesus  :  who  saith,  *•  He 
that  bclieveth  on  me  shall  wn^cr  perish,",  John  iii.  15  Shall  loiy 
or  all  the  powers  of  earth  ami  hell  nvjlce  Jesus,  the  God  of  truth,  a 
liar  ?,  The  bible  is  the  christ'iim's  charter.  It 's  our  wisdom  to  study 
that,  and  to  judge  of  Gotl's  love  from  his  w.oj^d  aiul  pronuses,  not  by 
our  circun\stanccs.  trials,  frames  and  feelings  :  For. 

T^Muilc'cr  thoa  founrl'sl  lilm  .it  the  best.  ,    Christ  rests  forever  in  Jiis  lovr, 
IJc'st  at  ibc  ivorst  the  same.  He  neTcr  lost  Las  furne. 


JUNE  25.  189 

fVhpn  vuf  soul  fainted  wit  hm  me.  I  rememhered  the  Lord  ; 
and  Nbij  prayer  came  in  unto  thee^  into  thine  holy  tem- 
ple.— Joiuili  ii.  7. 

In  the  prophet'  Jonah's  conduct  we  have  a  true  picture  of  human 
nature,  in  its  stronj^  opposition  to  the  power  and  griicc  ol'  (iod. 
Thou£>;h  Jesus  clothes  his  shunts  with  ritjhtcousness.  and  the  Spirit 
sanctifies  and  renews  them  in  the  spirit  of  their  minds ;  yet  piicle, 
obstinacy,  and  self  will  still  dwell  in  their  corrupt,  fallen  iitiure. 
The  Spirit  of  trutli  and  wisdom  hath  discovered  the  vile  sins  ol  his 
eminent  prophets  and  faithful  people,  as  well  as  their  holy  graces. 
Tliis  proves  as  a  touch-stone  to  us,  to  try  M'hether  we  ha^■e  received 
the  true  grace  of  God  in  our  hearts.  A  regenerate  soul  will  never 
draw  any  encouragement  to  indulge  himself  in  sin  laid  rebellion 
against  God,  because  he  rcids  of  David's  compliciited  sins  of  murder 
and  adultery  ;  of  Jonah's  fleeing  from,  and  provoking  behavicfur  to 
God  ;  or  of  Peter's  sad  denial  of  Jesus  with  abominable  oaths  and 
curses.  If  scripture  truths  proves  as  poison,  it  is  only  to  reprobate 
minds.  They  re  ever  wholesome  food  to  sanctified  hearts.  Such 
behold  in  the  fall  of  the  saints  of  old,  the  evils  to  which  themselves 
are  ever  liable.  If  they  are  kept,  they  are  humble;  and  give  the 
dear  Saviour  all  the  glory.  If  they  are  fallen  low,  they  remember 
the  Lord.  "  I  remembered  the  Lord,"  says  Jonah.  Grace  creates 
a  good  heart-memory',  where  there  is  a  bad  head-memory.  The 
soul  can  never  forget  the  Lord  Christ.  It  calls  to  mind  the  Lord's 
love,  and  how  he  dealt  with  his  people  of  old.  They  see  his  loving 
kindness,  faithfulness  and  truth,  never  failed  them. 

Hence  the  Holy  Spirit  stirs  up  and  encourages  poor,  broken  heart- 
ed backsliding  souls  to  trust  in  a  God  of  covenant  love.  A  sense  of 
puin  brings  the  body  into  a  weak,  fair, ting  state.  So  a  sense  of  sin, 
fear  of  God's  wrath,  the  hidins^s  of  his  face  in  Christ  Jesus,  makes 
the  soul  faint  and  languid.  But  in  the  lowest  ebb  ol  hope,  and  under 
the  weakest  frames  of  sc.ul,  the  sanctified  memory,  though  it  bears 
a  faithful  record  of  past  sins,  yet  it  is  also  a  precious  repository  of 
God's  free-grace  truths,  and  most  precious  promises  in  Christ  Jesus. 
His  human  nature  is  the  terrplc,  in  which  God  and  man  meet ;  to 
which  sinners  look  ;  and  through  which  grace  is  bestowed.  H<nce 
the  p- ,or  soulis  excited  to  mourn  under  the  displeasure  of  an  offended 
Father ;  and  yet  to  cry  to  him  in  hope  against  hope  ;  to  pray  to  him 
in  faith,  though  it  has  not  one  encouraging  symptom  in  nature  and 
self:  but  looking  for  all  in  Jesus.  O  most  blessed  words  from  ihof 
Father  to  humble  believing;  souls  ;  "  I  will  remember  their  suis  n» 
more,"  Jcr.  xxxi.  34. 

Vofc.  I.  z 


190  JUNE  26. 

And  rioxv,  little  children,  ahide  in  him  ;  that  when  he  shall 
appear,  we  may  have  confidence^  and  not  be  ashamed 
before  him  at  his  coming. — 1  John  ii.  28. 

<  A  BURNT  child  dreads  the  fire  :'  so  a  soulwho  has  fallen  into 
any  snare  of  the  enemy,  when  rescued  by  grace,  fears  the  same  evil 
and  wisely  cautions  his  brethren  against  it.  I  fell,  do  you  beware. 
So  it  wus  even  with  the  beloved  disciple  John.  He  did  not  abide  by 
Jesus  in  the  day  of  trial ;  but,  with  the  rest  of  his  disciples,  forsook 
him  and  fled.  But  who  can  tell  the  soi'row  of  his  heart  ?  who  can 
paint  the  distress  of  his  mind  aiul  the  shame  of  his  face,  when  Jesus 
appeared  to  them,  and  John  said,  "  It  is  the  Lord  ?"  John  xxi.  7. 

And  is  Jcsiis  gone  but  for  a  season  ?  will  he  assuredly  come  again 
and  take  all  his  little  children  home  ?  and  do  we  expect  his  appear- 
ance ?  do  we  helif.ve  we  shall  shortly  see  him  in  the  glory  of  his 
Father  and  of  his  holy  angels  ?  What  constancy  and  courage  should 
this  inspire  us  with  !  how  ought  christian  soldiers  to  abide  in  Jesus 
the  captain  of  their  salvation  ;  abide  in  a  steady  profession  of  his 
name  ;  in  a  fii-m  reliance  upon  his  death  and  atonement ;  in  a  con- 
fident hope  of  being  righteous  in  him;  "accepted  in  him  the  beloved ;" 
in  an  uninterrupted  obedience  to  his  will,  and  an  earnest  endeavour  to 
follow  his  example  !  and  above  all,  to  abide  in  child-like  dependence 
upon  him,  loving  to  be  near  him,  conversing  freely  with  him,  pour- 
ing out  our  hearts  before  him,  simply  telling  him  of  our  weakness 
and  dangers,  our  troubles  and  sorrows,  and  praying  him  to  keep  us 
.from  falling.  This  is  sweet  and  pleasant,  thus  always  to  abide  in 
the  faith  of  our  Lord.  The  more  we  thus  delight  ourselves  in  the 
Lord,  the  more  we  grow  dead  to  all  things  beside  him.  But,  soul, 
be  assured  that  conforming  to  a  vain  world,  complying  with  its  sinful 
customs,  gratifying  the  lust  of  the  fle-h,  the  lust  of  tlie  eye,  and 
the  pride  of  life  ;  as  this  is  not  abiding  in  the  teachings  of  Jesus,  it 
will  weaken  thy  confidence  in  him,  and  bring  shame  upon  thy  soul 
before  him.  Thou  findest  it  so  even  now,  when  thou  dost  approach 
unto  his  throne  of  grace.  How  often,- from  thy  foolish  forsaking- 
thy  master  and  his  ways,  have  thy  hands  been  made  to  hung  down, 
thy  knees  feeble,  thy  heart  faint !  O  how  hvth  holy  boldness  in  Jesus 
forsaken  thee,  and  sliamc  and  doubts  and  fears  overspread  thee  !  O 
thcs  if  thou  hast  any  regard  f(Sr  tiie  glory  of  thy  Lord,  any  concent 
fur  thy  present  peace  and  joy,  study  and  pray  to  live  and  walk  so  as 
to  enjoy  the  presence  of  thy  Saviour. 

J  cannot  bear  thy  abseiiCR,  T.fird  ;  I"V  .-^r  no!  horn  for  curtli  or  sin, 

My  I'fe  expires  ii"  tliou  depart ;  Nor  caw  T  livi-  \m  t'  ings  so  vile  ; 

lie  thou^my  lioart,  ^till  near  mv  Ood,  Yet  «'ill  T  stav  tny  Fiitlicr's  time,"" 

Aiid  ll-.'ni,  my  Cic.',  be  near  inv  heart.  And  hope  and  wait  for  heav'n  aivhil*. 


JUNE  27.  iS»l 

And  shall  not  God  avenge  his  own  elect,  ■winch  cry  day  and 
night  to  him,  though  he  bear  long  ivith  than  '^ — Luke 
xviiT.  7. 
This  question  implies  the  strongest  assertion.  Thus  our  Lord 
concludes  a  p.irul)le  he  had  dciivcvL-d  to  this  end,  "  that  men  ouv^ht 
always  to  pray  and  not  to  faint."  Our  Saviour  well  kr.ew  Ijow  ready 
his  disciples'  hands  arc  to  hang  down  and  their  hearts  to  g;ro\v  languid 
and  faint,  so  as  to  be  remiss  in  this  duty.  Therefore  his  loving 
heart  would  stir  up  and  encourage  tlicm  to  a  constant  perseverance 
in  prayer  ;  assuring  them  that  God's  ears  are  ever  open  to  their  cry, 
and  his  omnipotent  arm  would  most  certainly  avenge  the  enemies  of 
his  own  elect,  and  surely  deliver  them  from  all  their  troubles.  Hath 
the  Lord  loved  iiis  people  with  an  everlasting  love  I  huth  he  chosen 
them  in  Christ  Jesus  from  before  the  foundation  of  the  world  ?  hath 
he  given  them  the  precious  faith  of  his  own  elect,  and  the  cry  of  his 
children,  Abba,  Father  ?  and  shall  an  unjust  judge  deliver  one  whom 
he  cares  not  for,  and  the  just  and  holy  Lord  leave  any  of  his  beloved 
little  ones  to  the  power  of  any  adversary  ?  O,  believer,  never  indulge 
such  an  hard  thought  of  thy  heavenly  Father  !  Doth  sin  make  thee 
cry  ?  satan  cause  thee  to  call!  the  world  excite  thee  to  complain  ? 
Blessed  be  God  for  a  throne  of  grace  to  go  to,  and  an  all-powerful 
King  to  protect  and  conquer  for  us.  Duty  is  thine ;  be  careful  not 
to  neglect  it.  Deliverance  is  the  Lord's  ;  be  assured  in  his  own  time, 
■way  and  manner,  thou  shalt  receive  it.  Remember,  one  moment  be- 
fore thy  Lord's  time  would  not  be  thy  mercy. 

Thy  prayers,  however  frequent  or  fervent,  do  not  influence  the 
Lord  to  elect  and  chuse  thee  to  salvation.  No  ;  but  the  cry  of  a 
heart  believing  in  Jesus  is  an  evidence  of  election.  Therefore  thou 
art  in  Christ  always  acceptable  to  God  ;  so  are  thy  prayers  through 
him :  "  The  prayer  of  the  upright  is  his  delight,"  Prov.  xv.  8. 
Though  thy  comfort  may  be  often  damped  through  the  coldness  and 
deadness  of  thy  prayers  ;  yet  art  thou  to  persevere  conscientiously 
in  thy  duty.  Why  ?  To  profess  thy  sui)jcction  to  the  Lord  :  "  He  is 
thy  Lord,  worship  thou  him,"  Psalm  xlvii.  11.  Tiicrefore  prefer 
a  cold  prayer  before  none  at  all.  Belter  to  bring  words  that  v/anta 
soul,  than  neglect  to  bring  our  bodies  which  have  no  souls  in  them  : 
*'  Take  with  you  words,"  Hos.  xiv.  2,  and  say,  if  you  cannot  take 
the  spirit  and  pray.  Th  s  is  the  only  foundation  of  hope  of  being 
heard,  not  our  frames  in  duty  ;  but  the  prevalcncy  of  Christ's  in- 
tercession for  us  before  the  throne,  and  the  faithful  promises  of  God 
in  him  by  the  word  and  spirit  of  truth.  *<  Continue  in  prayer," 
Col.  iv.  2. 


192  JUNE  2§. 

Strait  is  the  ^afe.  andnarrutv  is  the  way  which  leadeth  unto 
life;  and  few  there  be  that  find  it, — iviatt.  vii.  14. 

So  Jesus  taught.  But  teachers  in  every  age  have  taught  a  broad 
way  and  wide  gate.  The  greatest  purt  of  protessors  have  readily  re- 
ceived their  doctrine.  This  is  a  melancholy  truth.  Therclore  Jesus 
adds,  "  Beware  of  false  prophets."  It  is  the  sole  prerogative  of  the 
king  of  saints  to  open  a  gate  and  make  a  way  to  his  own  kingdom. 
Glory  to  our  God,  who  in  sovereign  grace  and  everlasting  love  hath 
done  this.  The  gospel  proclaims,  '•'•free  welcome  :  come  who  nvill  : 
enter  freely^  ivithout  moiiey  and  nailhout  price.  Jesus  is  the  strait 
gate  of  God's  love,  the  only  gate  of  righteousness  :  by  him  we  enter 
with  access  to  God,  stand  perfectly  justified  and  graciously  accepted 
before  him.  Jesus  is  the  narrow  way.  By  the  blood  of  his  crosshe  hath 
made  peace,  atoned  for  the  sins  of  transgressors  by  one  offermg. 
Hence  called  strait  and  narrow,  because  the  only  way  to  life  is  by  ont 
man,  one  righteousness,  one  atonement.  'I'hus  it  is  a  gate  of  love  : 
a  way  of  grace.  Too  strait  a  gate  for  blind  men  to  see  :  too  narrow 
a  way  for  proud,  natural  men  to  submit  to  walk  in.  Hence  "  few 
there  be  that  find  it."  But  it  is  very  av/ful  to  think  of,  whoever  takes 
any  other  way  or  aims  to  enter  by  any  other  gate,  goeth  in  the  broad 
road  to  everlasting  destruction.  His  boldness  and  confidence  is  no 
proof  that  he  is  right ;  but  a  melancholy  sign  that  he  is  blind  and  de- 
ceived. For  "  the  way  of  a  fool  is  right  in  his  own  eyes,"  Prov. 
xii.  15.  And  "  there  is  a  way  which  scemeth  right  unto  a  man  ;  but 
the  end  thereof  are  the  ways  of  death,"  Prov.  xiv.  !'2.  But  whoever 
enters  the  kingdom  by  Jesus,  feeds  in  the  pastures  of  grace,  truth 
and  love  ;  he  drinks  of  the  river  of  consolation,  and  shall  be  nourish- 
ed up  to  eternal  life.  Like  a  person  who  takes  up  his  residence  for 
life,  in  a  more  delightful  kingdom  than  he  was  born  in:  so  the  believer 
is  conformed  to  the  laws,  speaks  the  liuiguage  of  the  New-Jerusalem, 
and  "hates  the  garments  spotted  with  the  flesh."  Thus  the  Holy 
Spirit  leads  the  blind  by  the  way  they  knew  not,  even  the  right  way 
to  peace,  love,  holiness,  happiness,  eternal  life  and  salvation.  Thus 
to  a  "  little  flock  it  is  the  Father's  good  pleasure  to  give  the  king- 
dom." By  his  word  he  directs  them  :  by  his  Spirit  he  guides  them  : 
by  his  love  he  comforts  them  :  by  affiictions  he  profits  them  :  by  con- 
viction of  sin  he  humbles  them  :  by  the  prospects  of  hope  he  animates 
them.  All  this  is  to  make  them  walk  steadily  in  Cliristj  who  is 
the  nvciy. 

Clirist  is  tlie  sure  founrlaJion  stone,  Clinsen  of  Cod,  1o  sinners  <loar. 

Which  Cod  iti  Zinii  lays,  Ami  suiiils  ;\cloi-e  the  name  ; 

To hiiild  our  hiavi'iilv  hopes npon,  T]i<>y  trust  thi'ir  Avhole  salvation  here, 

And  Ilia  eternal  praise,  '      ^To,.j,Ij;^j^;^pj  j^jfpp  gli^^^.^.^, 


JUNE  29.  193 

The   Lord  is  in  his  holt/  temple :  Let  all.  the  earth  keep 
silence  before  him  — Hab.  li.  20. 

What  God's  people  of  old  were  Lvored  wiih  in  type  and 
fs?^urc,  we  now  enjoy  in  reality  and  subsuiice.  Tne  icinple  of  old 
wus  an  eminent  type  of  the  body  of  Jesus.  In  it  Jehovali  made  his 
presence  known.  H<  re  troubled  conscii^nce  sought  relief.  The 
mercy-seat  was  set  up  f'>r  poor  sumers>  to  ..ipproacli  to.  Here  Jcho- 
rah  was  consulted.  Fujul  hence  he  spoke  '\\\  ^race  iind  love  to  his 
people,  and  silenced  every  p^uilty  fear.  Thus  God  was  in  his  holy 
temple  :  thus  (iod  wus  in  Chi'isi  reconciiini:;  the  world  unto  himself. 
Was  this  ministration  g;lonousin  the  eyes  of  spiritual  worsiuppets  ? 
How  doth  ours  exceed  in  glory  ?  Tlie  fulness  oi  tiie  i^odhe^.ti  dwelt 
bodily  in  Jesus.  This  is  the  temple  in  wbitli  God  delights'  to  dwell. 
Hence  grace  is  dispensed,  peace  coninmnicuud,  nicrcj  bestowed, 
life  and  salvation  freely  given. 

Here,  christian,  believe  i.nd  adore  ;  behold  and  wonder  ;  look  and 
admire  ;  admire  and  love  I  Jesus  is  tlie  Loid  tiiy  God,  woiship  thou 
him — Hear  the  gracious  words  that  are  spoken  fiom  this  living  tem- 
ple. Kerfi  silejice^  at  the  last  and  most  joyiui  words  Jesus  spoke, 
It  isjinished  :  my  Father's  work  is  done,  my  dear  member's  salva- 
tion is  completed.  Hear  this  with  joy,  meditate  on  it  with  love,  let 
tlie  voice  of  pride  and  self-righteousness  be  exalted  no  more,  hear 
tlie  voice  of  Jesus  only.  So  shall  words  of  legal  terror  and  wrath  be 
silenced  :  conscience  shall  be  at  peace  !  tlie  murmuring  cry,  ai  d  the 
lustful  desires  of  the  flesh  shall  cease  Thus  attend  tiic  voice  of 
Jesus.  Silence  every  carnal  cavil  :  every  lofiy  word  and  proud 
imagination,  which  exalt  themselves  agiiinst  him. 

Doth  the  Lord  thus  speak  in  and  from  his  temple  to  his  children  ? 
Yea  more,  he  dwells  in  them.  E.xh  sanctified  meuiber  of  Jcsus  is 
also  called  his  holy  temple,  1  v.,or.  iii.  17.  What  extiitcd  honor 
are  believers  called  to  !  "  Your  bodies  are  the  temples  of  the  Holy 
Ghost !"  chap.  vi.  19.  Most  powerful  motive  to  hohness  !  Be  atten- 
tive to  the  voice  of  Josus  within.  The  tcmpje  of  thy  heart  is  the 
throne  of  his  residence  Here  he  speaks  comfort  to  the  troui;!cd 
conscience:  like  as  Jesus  spoke  to  the  tempestuous  sea,  '■'•  Pvaiey 
be  still."  And  as  he  called  to  his  affrighted  disciples,  "  It  is  L  l)e 
not  afraid  :"  so  to  the  listening  soul,  who  saith,  "  I  will  watch  to  lic^ar 
wliat  he  will  say"—  to  every  waiting  heart  at  his  feci.  Jesus  will 
speak  silence  to  the  clamors  of  the  law,  the  commotions  of  shi,and 
the  accusations  of  satan. 

Srr.l  contforts  down  from  thy  riglit  hand,  And  in  thy  temple  let  ii8  see 
Wliilc  wu  pags  thi-o'  this  barren  land.  A  glimpse  ©llove,  a  glimpse  of  thee. 


194  JUNE  3©. 

He  will  guide  you  into  all  truth. — John  xvU  13. 

Our  Lord  here  gives  his  disciples  a  farther  exhibition  of  the 
covenant  of  grace,  and  a  fuller  display  of  the  grace  of  the  covenant. 
Here  is  a  full  proof  of  the  personality  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  also  of 
his  sovereignty  in  his  operations  and  influences  upon  his  members. 
Christ  did  not  tell  his  apostles,  as  some  ignorantiy  talk,  "  It  ye  will 
but  be  yielding  and  tractable,  and  suffer  my  Spirit  to  lead  you,  ye 
shall  enjoy  his  kind  assistance."  No :  this  were  to  degrade  the  glory 
of  this  divine  agent,  to  exalt  the  pride  of  the  creature,  and  render 
the  gracious  guidance  of  the  Spirit  dependent  upon  the  will  of  the 
flesh.  As  though  uistead  of  being  the  cause  of  life,  he  was  to  be 
only  a  mere  auxiliary  to  aid  and  assist  man's  pious  motions  and  good 
dispositions.  Far  be  such  thoughts  from  our  hearts.  All  glory 
to  this  heavenly  pai-aclete,  "  he  will  work,  and  who  shall  let  him  ?" 
He  will  guide  into  the  whole  truth  of  covenant-love  and  salvation 
by  Jesus  Christ.  This  is  the  adorable  person  the  Spirit  is  to  testify 
of,  and  to  glorify  in  the  sight,  heart  and  affections  of  his  people. 
The  apostles  themselves  were  at  this  time  in  much  ignoi'ancc  about, 
and  strong  prejudices  against  many  things  concerning  Jesus.  As  to 
the  nature  of  his  kingdom,  they  still  dreamed  of  the  grandeur  of  a 
temporal  one.  Their  prejudices  were  great  in  favor  of  their  own 
nation,  and  they  thought  "  God  was  a  respecter  of  persons  :"  of 
Jews  above  Gentiles  ;  and  were  very  hardly  brought  to  give  up  the 
types  and  shadows?  particularly  the  sign  of  the  covenant-circumcision, 
as  not  fully  seeing  that  Jesus  the  substance  was  r'euUy  come,  who  is 
essentially  the  truth  itself. 

There  is  no  hope  for  poor  guilty  sinners  but  in  the  truth.  For 
when  the  Lord  declares  his  name  to  Moses,  this  is  a  part  of  it,  "I  will 
by  no  mctins  clear  the  guiliij.,"  Exod.  xxxiv.  7.  This  must  be 
very  distressing  to  sensible  sinners.  I  know  one  who  has  found  it  so. 
My  poor  soul  has  been  sadly  distressed  Avith  this  text.  But  the  Spirit 
teaches  that  the  truth  of  God  is  inviolably  preserved,  while  the  guilty 
sinner  is  perfectly  saved  in  the  Lord  Jesus,  with  an  everlasting  salva- 
tion. Jesus  stood  as  our  guilty  substitute.  The  Lord  laid  all  our 
iniquities  upon  him.  He  suffered  as  our  surety  all  tlie  wrath  due 
to  our  transgressions,  "  and  with  his  stripes  we  are  healed,"  Isa. 
liii.  5.  The  reputed  guilty  died.  The  real  guilty  become  guiltless. 
<'  His  blood  cleanseth  them  from  all  sin,"  1  John  i.  7.  "  God  is 
just  Vhilc  he  is  the  justificr  of  the  ungodly  sinner  who  believes  in 
Jesus,"  Rom.  iii.  26.  Glory  to  the  condescending  Lord,  who  leads 
us  out  of  the  destructive  paths  of  natural  pride,  self-will,  and  self- 
rightcouoness,  "  and  gives  us  rcpenticnce  to  the  acknowledging  of  the 
truth,"  2  Tim.  ii.  25 — "  that  wc  may  be  sanctified  through  the 
truth,"  J.ehn  xvii.  17*  .  -         ' 


JULY  1.  195 

Let  us  hahlfast  the  prnftssion  of  our  faith  without  waver - 
ing :.  (for  he  is  faithful  that  promised  J. — Hcb.  x.  23. 

Poor  christian !  thy  profession  is  envied  by  the  malice  of  devils ; 
it  is  the  scorn  and  ridix;ule  of  nutual  men  ;  and  is  contrary  to  thy 
Carnal  reason.  Hence  thou  hast  the  combined  force  of  a  threefold 
alliance  in  arms  against  thee  ;  if  that  by  any  means  they  may  rob 
thee  of  thy  hope.  Happy  christian  !  who  like  thy  blessed  master, 
in  the  face  of  every  adversary,  hast  "witnessed  a  good  profession," 
1  Tim.  vi.  13.  What  an  animating  exhortation  backed  v/ith  a  most 
precious  assertion  is  this  !  Thou  must  expect  to  be  assulted  by  the 
rage  of  devils,  treated  with  sconi  and  contempt  from  wicked  men  ; 
and  often  put  to  a  stand  by  the  carnal  reasonings  of  thy  flcsji.  Here 
is  thy  duty  :  "  hold  fast"  in  spite  of  all  opposition  :  hold  fast  the 
truths  of  God.  «'  It  is  written,"  is  sufficient  to  silence  every  carnal 
argument,  to  support  thy  soul  against  every  attack  from  the  wisdom 
of  this  world.  With  this  weapon  thy  blessed  master  put  satan  to 
flight.  Tims  defend  thyself  with  the  sword  of  the  Spirit  against 
every  foe.  Thus  encourage  thy  soul  daily  to  "  hold  fast  its  profes- 
sion." God's  revealed  truihs  are  faith's  objects,  faith's  confidence, 
faith's  security  ;  for  God's  foundation  standcth  sure.  "He  is  faith- 
ful that  promised."  Why  then  should  thy  mind  at  any  time  wave 
agitate,  or  be  tested  to  and  fro  ?  The  foundation  of  God  standcth 
sure.  To  confide  in  the  word,  promises,  and  oath  of  a  faithful, 
covenant-keeping,  promise-fulfilling  God,  is  the  glory  of  thy  soul 
and  glorifies  thy  Lord.  Is  Jesus  thy  profession  ?  is  all  thy  hope  in 
him  ?  all  thy  expectation  from  him  ?  Is  he  thy  all  for  pardon,  for 
righteousness,  for  sanctification,  for  wisdom,  and  eternal  redemp- 
tion ?  dost  thou  profess  him  thy  alpha'and  omega  ?  Then  be  careful 
for  nothing  but  to  please  him — fear  thou  nothing  but  what  may 
offend  him.  Wliilst  thou  lookcst  to  him  o;ily,  thou  wilt  be  of  good 
courage.  Remember  thy  foes  arc  his  conquered  ciicmies.  When 
tiiey  oppose,  attack,  assault,  it  is  to  try  thy  faith,  that  tisou  mayest 
glorify  him  tlie  more.  What  hast  thou  already  ?  Hast  thou  not  thv 
Lord's  faithful  word  ;  his  precious  promises  ;  his  solenm  oath,  all 
pledged  for  thy  safety  and  salvation  ?  Hast  thou  not  found  peace  of 
conscience,  comfort  of  heart,  joy  of  soul  m  Jesus  ?  Then  cleave 
close  to  him  :  hold  fast  by  him.  Ever  plead  (not  thy  own)  but  his 
faithfulness.  Attend  his  sweet  call  from  heaven  above  to  all  his 
counicting  menibers  below:  "That  which  ye  have  already,  hold 
fast  till  I  come,"  Rev.  ii.  25. 

The  fearful  sovil,  that  tires  and  Hiints,  Lord,  let  not  all  my  hopes  he  vain, 

A'kI  walks  the  w.ivs  of  fiotl  no  more,  Create  my  liciirt  entirely  new, 

fs  but  csteeni'd  almost  a  saint,  Which  hyiiocritcs  could  ne'er  attain, 

A,nd  w>k<:%  liis  own  d'istrjctioa  sure.  Whicli  base  apostates  never  knew. 


196  JULY  2. 

A  new  heart  also  will  I  {five  you,  and  a  nexv  spirit  will  I 
put  within  you  :  and  I  wUl  take  away  the  stony  heart 
out  qfyourjiesh,  and  I  will  give  you  an  heart  ofjiesh, 
— Ezck.  xxxvi.  26. 

What  abr,olul.c  declarations  are  here  !  all  display  the  sovereign 
vill  and  almiglily  fuvor  of  a  covenant  God.  As  God's  heiat  of  iove 
is  towards  his  people  in  Christ,  so  his  spirit  of  power  works  in  them 
according-  to  the  counsel  of  his  will.  Hence  they  know,  love  and 
serve  him.  By  the  blood  of  Jesus  their  shis  are  purdoncd  and  their 
consciences  cleansed  from  guilt.  By  the  Spirit  of  Jesus  they  are  in- 
wardly sanctified  from  their  filthiness  and  idols  :  a  new  heart  and  % 
new  spirit  is  put  within  them  ;  and  they  are  enabled  to  walk  iu  his 
statutes,  and  keep  his  judgments.  Thus  "  all  thuigs  are  of  God,  who 
hath  reconciled  us' unto  himself  by  Jesus  Christ,"  2  Cor.  v.  17,^  18. 
"  If  any  man  be  in  Christ,  he  is  a  new  creature.  Old  things  are  past 
away  ;  behold,  all  things  are  become  new." 

<  A  christian,'  as  Luther  says,  '  is  a  new  creature  in  a  new  world.* 
He  has  a  new  heart ;  he  is  under  a  new  government ;  serves  a  ne\T 
master,  obeys  new  laws,  is  actui.ted  by  new  tears,  infliienced  by  new 
love,  animated  with  new  delights  and  new  joys.  '  Ah,'  says  a  disciple, 
f  this  is  sweet  in  theory  and  true  in  doctrine  ;  but  in  experience  I  iind 
and  feel  to  my  gricF  an  old  nature  of  sin  und  uiibclief ;  and  groan  under 
a  body  of  death.'  This  is  also  very  true  :  yci.  it  is  perfectly  consistent 
with  a  state  of  regencrution.  Saints  of  God  in  alf  ages  found  it  so. 
The  Lord  in  this  very  text,  accounts  for  it :  ''  I  will  take  away  the 
stony  heart  out  of  your  flesh,  and  I  will  give  you  an  heart  of  flesh." 
Naturally  thy  heart  is  hard  as  a  stone.  Thou  couldat  neither  feel  sin, 
mourn  for  sin,  nor  be  humbled  under  a  sense  of  sin,  but  through  the 
blood  of  Jesus  applied  by  the  Spirit  in  believing-  the  truth  ;  thou  hast 
a  soft,  tender,  yielding  heart,  a  heart  of  flesh,  susceptible  of  impres- 
sions, looking  to'  Jesus  by  faith,  melted  by  love,  and  mourning  for  sin. 
Though  the  king's  daughter,  the  lamb's  wiie  is  all -glorious  within, 
though  her  clothing  is  of  v/rought  gold  ;  yet  she  is  unhiippily  allied 
to  abase,  wretched,  churlish  Nabal.  Hence,' though  "  tliou  hast  no 
confidence  in  the  flesh,  and  in  it  dwells  no  good  thing  ;"  yet  thou  dost 
delight  in  the  law  of  God  after  the  inward  man;  and  hast  continual 
cause  of  rejoicing  in  Christ  Jesus,  Phil.  iii.  3. 

Oar  heart,  tluit  flinty  stiiL])orn  thing,  And  every  motion  of  our  souls 

'I'li.il.  tcn-ois  cannot  move,  ToBuift  obedience  draw. 

That  tears  no  thrcat'iiii-prs  of  God's  wrath,  x],,,^  ^,:ii  j.^.  p^.^,,.  salvation  down. 
Shall  be  (Ussolv'd  by  love.  ^uTl  wc  bhall  render  praise  ; 

'r"!iercsh:dl  hi.s  Siicred  S[)irJt  dwell.  We  fh<  dcu'r  pco]tle  of  his  love, 

Aiid  deep  eugrare  liis  law,  And  he  oar  God  of  grace . 


,     JULY  3.  179 

My  sheep  hear  my  voice;  I  know  the?n^  and  they  follow 
me. — John  x.  27. 

All  our  mercies  in  time  and  eternity  flow  from  Jesus'  knowing 
us  as  his  sheep.  To  all,  such  salvation  is  certain  ;  both  as  to  present 
grace  and  future  glory.  As  a  shepherd  knoweth  every  sheep  com- 
mitted to  his  care  ;  so  doth  our  good  shepherd.  All  his  shetp  were 
everlastingly  beloved  of  the  Father,  "  chosen  in  Christ  before  the 
foundation  of  the  world,"  and  given  to  Jesus  in  the  eternal  counsel. 
He  became  surety  for  them,  he  redeemed  them  to  God  by  his  own. 
blood.  Hence  he  calls  them  "  wy  shecfi"  mine  by  gift — ntiine  by 
redemption.  Thus  he  hath  a  distinct  knowledge  of  them,  and 
special  property  in  them  <'  For  "  died  Jesus  as  a  fool  dieth  ?"  spilt  he 
his  precious  blood  at  uncertainty  ?  paid  he  the  dreadful  debt  of  law  and 
justice  at  aperadventure,  whether  any  soul  would  receive  the  eternal 
benefit  or  not  ?  Surely  no  :  for  his  undertaking  was  in  infinite  wisdom 
and  counsel,  as  well  as  wonderful  in  grace  and  love.  Jesus  well 
knew  the  nature-state  of  his  sheep.  They  were  all  gone  astray  and 
turned  every  one  to  his  own  way.  They  would  all  count  their  shep- 
herd an  enemy  and  fly  from  him  as  a  destroyer,  if  left  to  themselves. 
But  Jesus  saith,  I  am  the  good- shepherd.  He  inclines  their  ears  to 
hear,  and  their  hearts  to  believe  in  him  ;  to  come  to  him  as  such  ; 
and  to  follow  him.  They  have  the  properties  of  his  own  sheep  s 
they  give  evidence  of  it.  They  live  upon  his  word  and  feed  upon  his 
love,  O  alas  !  what  deplorable  circumstances  were  we  all  in  when 
this  sweet  voice  first  reached  our  ears  !  when  this  powerful  voice 
aflected  ovu'  hearts  I  It  was  a  sound  of  glad  tidings,  love,  and  salva- 
tion to  lost  sheep  indeed.  It  proved  effectual  to  recall  our  souls  from 
the  dangerous  and  destructive  paths  in  which  we  had  lost  ourselves. 
Truly  we  also  may  say  of  Jesus,  "  never  man  spake  like  this  man.'* 
The  power  of  his  voice  begets  obedience  ;  and,  like  the  blind  man 
restored  to  sight,  wc  follow  Jesus  as  the  shepherd  and  bishop  of  our 
souls.  We  know  he  hath  the  words  of  eternal  life.  To  whom  then 
should  we  go  but  to  him  ?  and  it  is  the  delight  of  our  souls  to  see  the 
footsteps  of  our  shepherd,  that  we  may  tread  therein.  Though,  O 
soul,  thou  canst  not  see  whether  thy  name  is  wrote  in  the  Lamb's 
book  of  life  ;  yet  in  the  light  of  the  Spirit  thou  mayest  read  thy  name 
in  the  book  of  grace,  if  thou  hast  heard  the  voice  of  Jesus,  and  art 
following  him.  Thou  mayest  safely  conclude,  "  the  Lord  is  my 
shepherd,  I  shall  not  want,"  Psalm  xxiii. 

The  Lord  my  shepherd  is.  He  leads  me  to  the  place 

I  shall  lie  well  siipply'd  ;  "Wliere  lieav'nly  pasture  grows, 

Since  he  is  mine,  and  I  urn  lus,  Wliere  living  waters  Rcntly  pass 
What  can  I  want  beside  ?  And  lull  salvation  flows. 

Vol..  T.  A  a 


198  JULY  4. 

Jfxve  confess  our  sins,  he  is  faithful  and  just  to  forgive 
our  sins,  and  to  cleanse  us  from  all  unrighteousness.— ^ 
1  John  i.  9. 

DovTBTi.ESS  there  are  many  confessions  of  sin  made  by  the  lips 
©f  men  which  are  vain  and  fruitless.  Yea,  a  man  may  be  under  a 
sense  of  leiiul  terror  and  wrath  in  his  conscience  ;  and,  like  Judas, 
in  the  anguish  of  his  spirit  confess  that  he  has  sinned,  and  yet  never 
obtain  forj^iveness  from  God.  But  every  believer  in  Jesus  is  made 
a  priest  unto  God,  to  offer  spiritual  sacrifices  by  Jesus  Christ.  And 
as  the  high-priest  under  the  law  laid  both  his  hands  upon  the  scape- 
goat and  made  confession  of  sin,  Levit.  xvi.  2 1  ;  so  the  christian, 
every  anointed  one,  lays  both  his  hands  of  faith  and  Ijope  on  Jesus 
Christ,  confessins^  the  evil  of  sin,  the  desert  of  sin,  the  sin  of  his 
nature,  and  the  sin  of  his  life,  and  pleads  for  forgiveness.  The 
sacrifice  of  Jesus  is  the  alone  object  of  his  faith.  And  the  blood  of 
the  Lamb  is  his  only  hope  for  pardon.  This  will  be  the  daily  exer- 
cise of  believing  souls ;  for  wc  have  daily  need  both  of  pardon  and 
cleansing. 

Such  souls,  thus  confessing  sin,  arc  not  left  in  doubtful  suspense. 
Do  not  argue,  God  is  merciful  and  perhaps  he  may  forgive  sin  :  but 
through  the  perfection  of  the  one  atonement  of  Jesus,  by  the  word 
of  truth  they  are  fully  assured,  God  the  Father  absolutely  will  par- 
don ;  not  merely  as  an  act  of  mercy,  but  because  he  is  faithful  and 
just.  Faithful  to  his  own  word,  his  oath,  his  counsel  and  his 
covenant  promise.  Junt  to  fulfil  the  engagements  entered  into  with 
Jesus,  and  to  bestow  what  the  precious  blood  of  his  Son  hath  pro- 
cured for  poor  sinners.  The  blood  of  Christ  was  the  stipulated  price 
for  all  our  sins.  This,  Christ  as  our  surety  hath  paid  to  God.  To 
demand  payment  for  that  debt  of  the  debtor,  which  his  surety  has 
paid,  is  not  just.  But  God  is  just,  he  doth  not  this.  And  thus 
through  the  faith  of  his  heart  the  sinner  is  brought  to  make  con- 
fession of  sin  with  his  mouth,  with  godly  sorrov/  and  holy  shame 
for  sin  ;  and  sincere  abhorrence  and  detestation  of  sin.  And  lest 
such  a  soul  should  be  "  swallowed  up  with  overmuch  sorrow,"  God 
the  Spirit  is  just,  he  will  assuredly  "  cleanse  him  from  all  unrigh- 
teousness"— sprinkle  his  heart  from  a  guilty  conscience — cleanse  his 
mind  from  every  guilty  fear,  through  the  application  of  the  blood  of 
Jesuv  So  that  the  soul  shall  have,  '<  the  oil  of  joy  f-r  mourning, 
and  the  garment  of  praise  for  the  spirit  of  heaAiness,"  Isa.  Ixi.  3. 

An<l  now  the  scrslea  linve  Icfn  mine  eye?,  When  justice  seiz'd  God's  only  Son, 
Now  ]  be^in  to  see  ;  ■'^«»<1  l»'t !''«  soul  to  pain  ? 

O  the  ciir»'fl  dceils  rny  sinn  lir.ve  done  :  Forgive  rny  guilt,  O  prince  of  peace. 
What  mii^wl'vous  thiiitrs  tliev  he  !  jjf„.  \^x  me  m  ound  thee  more  ; 

WliHt,  li.'t  Cor  r-iiT!fSt''»*  I  hud  done,  Hcror.  fi-om  mv  heart,  ye  sins,  he  gone, 
Mv  dearest  Lord  was  slain,  For  Jesns  \  adore. 


JULY  5.  199 

fVlierem  ye  greatly  rejoice,  through  now  for  a  season  (if 
need  he  J  ye  are  in  heaviness  through  man  fold  tenipta- 
tions.--l  Pet.  i.  6. 
Though  a  christian  be  not  always  in  a  joyful  frame,  yet  liclia<? 
abundant  cause  to  «  rejoice  always."  Though  many  things  may  rob 
him  of  his  frame,  yet  nothing  can  deprive  him  of  the  foundation  of 
his  comfort.  Happy  for  us,  this  is  permanent  and  abiding  for  ever  : 
for  it  is  founded  in  the  love  and  truth  of  an  unchangeable  God.  These 
disciples  to  whom  the  apostles  wrote,  "  rejoice  greatly."  Why  ? 
was  it  because  they  were  perfectly  delivered  from  a  body  of  sin  and 
death  ?  that  tliey  were  not  like  thee  and  me,  O  disciple,  sinners  ? 
No;  but  the  matter  of  their  joy,  the  cause  of  their  rejoicing  Vfas, 
their  "  election  accorduig  to  the  foreknowledge  of  God  the  Father — 
sanctification  by  the  Spirit — sprinkling  of  the  blood  of  Jesus  ;  being 
begotten  to  a  lively  hope  by  the  resurrection  of  Jesus  ."  and  the 
assurance  of  being  "kept  by  the  power  of  God  through  fdth,  unto 
salvation. "  Wherein,  "  in  these  soul-comforting  truths  ye  gVciLtly 
rejoice,"  saith  Peter. 

Thus,  believer,  thou  seect  die  streams  that  make  glad  tlx  cilizensi 
of  heaven,  flow  from  the  ocean  of  God's  everlasting  love.  Tlie 
more  thou  drinkest  of  this  water,  it  will  allay  tlie  thirst  of  pride  ar.d 
self-righteousness,  and  make  thy  soul  glory  and  rejoice  in  Chiist 
Jesus  alone.  But  here  is  a  full  conviction,  that  these  joyful  souls 
were  imprisoned  in  a  body  of  siiiful  flesh  :  they  had  their  heavy 
seasons;  were  assaulted  with  manifold  temptations;  there  was  a 
seasons  for  them,  and  a  need  be  also.  So  tliere  is  now.  Wilt  thou 
not  be  content  to  go  the  same  path  ?  canst  thou  expect  freedom  from 
such  exercises  ?  Deceive  not  thyself.  It  is  all  the  children's  lot; 
and  the  Father  sees  it  as  needful  as  our  food  :  yea,  he  ma^es  it 
profitable  also.  Whilst  thou  art  in  the  flesh  sin  dwelleth  in  thee, 
temptation  will  assault  tliee,  heaviness  and  affliction  will  bow  thee 
down,  ^oul-exercises  are  fiiith's  trials.  In  the  issue  they  are  made 
v/orld-conquering,  crcature-huml)ling,  Jesus-endearing  heavenly- 
longing  blessings.  "  I  am  oppressed,"  said  Hczekiah  :  What  then  ? 
doth  he  sink  under  it  ?  No  ;  it  called  forth  the  exercise  of  his  faith. 
and  prayer  to  the  Saviour  :  "  Do  thou  unrlertake  for  me."  So  tlie 
Psalmist — Ps.  cxvi.  3,  "I  found  trouble  and  sorrow."  What  ^as 
the  blessing  of  it  ?  Self-despair.  He  saw  no  help  elsewhere  :  '"  Then 
called  I  on  the  name  of  the  Lord."  Verily  thy  faith  must  be' tried, 
ihy  patience  exercised,  prayer  excited,  as  well  as  rejoicing  of  soul: 
Tliy  Saviour  loves  to  have  it  so.  The  government  is  upon  his 
shoulders.  Here  is  thy  mercy,  while  the  wicked,  like  S.vil,  set!j 
to  the  sorcery  and  witchcraft  of  the  world ;  Jesus,  "  the  cLcrnal  Go<i 
is  our  refuge,"  Deut.  xxxiii.  27. 


200  JULY  6. 

But  1  say  unto  you,  Love  your  enemies^  bless  themthaf  curse 
you,  do  good  to  them  that  hate  you,  and  pray  for  them 
that  despitefully  use  youand persecute  you.  — Matt.  v.  44. 

Love  is  the  very  badge  and  characteristic  of  a  disciple  of  Jesus. 
Love  is  of  God.     All  tempers  and  passions  which  are  contrary  to 
love,  "  are  earthly,  sensual,  and  devilish,"      Let  no  disciple  say, 
This  is  an  hard  saying,  who  can  obey  it  ?  Nay,  but  it  is  the  com- 
mand of  thy  loving  Saviour ;  he  practised  it ;  he  has  left  thee  an 
example.  To  this  end  art  thou  born  frpm  above  of  the  Spirit  of  love  ; 
and  art  possessed  with  «  faith,  which  worketh  by  love."     Therefore 
though  hard  and  impossible  it  may  seem  to  carnal  reason,  and  to  flesh 
and  blood  ;  yet  we  are  under  the  indispensable  obligation  to  follow 
the  steps,  and  obey  the  commands  of  that  Jesus,  who  loved  us  and 
died  for  us,  though  his  enemies.     He  hath  blessed  us,  and  prays 
for  us,  and  does  good  unto  us,  though  we  have  rebellious  natures 
which  are  at  enmity  and  hatred  against  him.     Never,  never  till  thine 
enemy's  hatred  and  variance  against  thee  exceed  thine  to  thy  Lord, 
art  thou  at  liberty  to  dispense  with  this  command.  It  is  for  the  health 
and  profit  of  thy  soul.     In  keeping  this  command  of  love,  verily 
there  is  a  great  reward  of  inward  peace  and  consolation  from  the  God 
of  love      So  shalt  thou  enjoy  the  witness   of  his   Spirit,  of  thine 
adoption.     Tell  thy  Lord  of  thine  enemies  and  pray  for  them  by 
name.     Behold  the  blessed  effects  of  love  upon  the  heart   of  a  most 
bitter  and  implacable  foe,   1   Sam.  24,     See  how  David,  the  man 
after  the  God's  own  heart  acts — how  his  faith  work's  by  love.     When 
his  persecuting  foe>  Saul,  was  delivered  by  his  hand,  love  would 
not  suffer  him  to  do  him  any  hurt.     Yea,  love  smote  his  heart  for 
only  cutting  off  the  skirts  of  his  robe.     Hear  the  pathetic  cry  of  the 
bloody-minded  Suul  ;  struck  with  astonishmentj  and  melted  by  love, 
he  said,  "  Is  this  thy  voice,  such  thy  conduct  to  me,  my  son  David  ? 
and  he  wept.     Thou  art  more  righteous  than  I  ;  tliou  hast  rewarded 
me  good  for  evil ;  the  Lord  reward  thee  for  it."  Admire  and  imitate. 
Love  is  the  weapon  of  thy  spiritual  warfare  ;  by  it  thou  art  sure  to 
prevail  against,  and  conquer  thine  enemy     Therefore,  "if  he  hunger, 
feed  him  ;  if  he  thirst  give  him  drink  ;  for  in  so  doing,   thou  shalt 
heap  coals  of  fire  upon  his  head."     So  strive  to  burn  up  his  wrath, 
and"  melt  him  into  affection.    But  suppose  it  hath  not  this  effect  upon 
him  :  it  shall  turn  to  the  blessing  and  comfort  of  thy  own  soul.    Thoij 
shalt  ^joy  peace  and  love  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus. 

Lord,  sliall  thv  bright  example  shine  The  Lord  sli.nll  on  my  side  engage. 

In  viiir,  bcfoi-o  my  eyes  ?  Ai„I  in  my  Saviour's  name 

C.ve  me  a  sonl  akin  <o  thine,  J  shall  dcf.^at  their  pride  and  rage. 

To  love  my  enemies.  -^Vho  slander  and  condemn. 


JULY  7.  201 

Let  us  therefore  fear,  lest  a  promise  being  left  us  of  en- 
termg  into  his  rest,  any  of  you  should  seem  to  come 
short  of  it  -^Htb.  iv.  1. 

Fear  without  faith  enslavts  the  soul  to  wrath  and  bondage. 
Faith  without  fear  tends  to  licentiousness.  But  a  lovintj,  filial  fear 
of  offendinj^  our  dear  Fatlier  and  precious  Saviour,  ever  accompanies 
the  t^race  of  faith  in  the  heart.  Jesus  is  the  rest  of  his  people.  This 
rest  is  by  promise  :  and  therefore  it  is  sure  to  all  his  spiritual  seed. 
They  now  enter  into  it  and  enjoy  it  by  fidth.  But.  from  awful  instan- 
ces of  others  falling  iiwuy  from  the  hope  of  Jesus,  the  apostles  ever 
exercised  a  loving  fear  and  a  godly  jealousy  over  their  dear  converts, 
lest  any  of  them  should  even  seem  to  come  short  through  unbelief. 
The  Lord  only  knov/eth  who  are  his  elect  according  to  the  covenant 
of  grace.  This  did  not  lie  open  to  the  eyes  even  of  his  chosen 
apostles.  It  could  only  be  made  manifest  by  their  faith  and  its  fruiis. 
Hence  they  were  continually  exhorting  disciples  to  give  all  diligence 
to  make  their  calling  and  election  sure.  To  work  out  their  own  sal- 
vation with  fear  and  trembling.  Not  with  a  fear  oi  suspicion  of  the 
love  and  faithfulness  of  a  covenant  God  ;  but  notliing  doubting  the 
finished  work  of  Jesus'  salvation,  or  the  safety  iind  security  of  every 
believer  in  him.  These  are  truths  of  the  greatest  certainty  and  are 
to  be  held  with  the  strongest  confidence.  But  so  to  fear,  lest  their 
own  souls  should  at  any  time  be  so  captivated  by  the  devices  of  satan, 
so  enslaved  by  the  snares  of  the  world,  so  allured  by  the  lusts  of  the 
flesh,  and  the  pleasures  of  sense,  so  kept  from  Jesus  by  the  work- 
ings of  unbelief,  that  their  conduct  should  give  sad  evidence  of  their 
state.  Lest  it  should  seem  they  sought  other  lovers  but  Jesus,  other 
rest  but  in  him,  other  hope  and  other* comforts  beside  those  which 
the  gospel  affords. 

So  the  apostcls  were  excited  to  a  godly  fear  over  their  professing 
brethren.  Blessed  also  art  thou,  disciple,  who  thou  fearest  contm- 
yally.  By  this  evangelical  fear,  verily  thou  shalt  be  kept  from  de- 
parting from  thfi  Lord.  Count  not  this  fear  legal,  as  tliough  it 
tended  to  bondage.  Nay,  but  it  is  a  fruit  of  thy  Father's  love,  a 
grace  of  the  gospel-covenant.  It  is  as  essential  to  the  health  of  thy 
soul  as  faith  is  to  thy  being  a  disciple  of  Jesus.  "  Be  thou  in  the  fear 
of  the  Lord  all  the  day  long."  If  at  any  time  this  fear  is  cast  off, 
thou  art  that  moment  in  danger  of  falling.  But  "  hi  the  fear  of  the 
Lord  is  strong  confidence  :  and  his  children  shall  have  a  place  of 
refuge,*'  Prov.  xiv.  26. 

Praise,  everlasting  praise  bo  p.iid  Praise  to  tl>e  profMlncss  ot't'in  T.ni-fl, 

To  him  that  cartli's  foundation  laid  ;  Who  rules  his  people  hv  his  ^vord  ; 

{'raise  to  the  God  whose  strong  decrees  Am'  'here,  .'•s  strong  a?  his  decrees, 

Sway  the  creation  as  he  ple.^se.  He  sets  his  kindest,  promises. 


202  JULY  8. 

Here  now  ye  rebels  ;  must  we  fetch  you  water  mt  of  this 
7'ock  ? — Numb.  xx.  10. 

It  is  most  probable  that  this  harsh,  severe  speech  of  Moses, 
cut  many  of  God's  dear  children  to"  the  very  heart  and  struck  terror 
to  their  souls.  Here  we  see  the  true  nature  of  the  holy  law.  It 
demands  attention  with  power  and  authority,  hear.  Its  voice  is  of 
terror;  it  speaks  nothing  but  wrath  to  poor  sinners' consciences  ;  it 
calls  them  by  their  proper  name,  rebels.  And  what  can  the  poor 
guilty  trembling  soul  do  to  oppose  its  terror  and  escape  the  wrath  to 
come?  Nothuig.  Alas,  it  "  cooncludes  him  under  sin,"  and  leaves 
him  as  much  without  hope  of  mercy,  as" he  has  of  drawing  liquid 
streams  from  a  barren  rock.  But  by  the  gospel  eye  of  faith  we  see 
that  spiritual  rock,  Jesus,  whom  the  law  struck,  and  thirsty  souls  in 
all  ages  drink  living  water  from  this  rock  of  their  salvation.  Jehovah 
loves  his  people  ;  from  the  affection  of  his  heart  (notwitstanding 
their  murmurings)  he  commands  his  servant  to  procure  drink  for 
them.  But  meek  Moses  reproves  the  children  in  wrath  and  in  anger 
strikes  the  rock  twice.  The  Lord  resents  his  conduct  and  expressions 
towards  them.  Because  the  dear  Lamb  stood  up  in  their  behalf,  and 
spoke  in  effect  what  Paul  wrote  to  Piiilemon  concerning  Oncsimus: 
«  What  my  people  owe  to  law  and  justice,  put  that  to  my  account ; 
I  will  pay  all."  Therefore  the  sword  of  divine  justice  "  awoke 
against  him  ;"  he  was  struck  by  the  severe  rod  of  the  law  ;  and 
hence  cooling  streams  of  mercy,  refreshing  streams  of  peace,  reviv- 
ing streams  of  love,  richly  gushed  out  to  parched,  thirsty,  dying 
souls.  Yea,  the  water  of  this  rock  follows  believing  souls,  as  it  did 
tlie  children  of  Israel,  all  the  way  through  the  wilderness  of  this 
world.  They  all  drink  the  same  spiritual  drink  at  the  hands  of  the 
Spirit.  What  consolation  to  disciples,  to  consider  that  our  spiritual 
rock  ever  stands  stedfast  and  unmoveable !  that  ail  who  arc  built  upon 
him  are  safe  and  secure  from  every  danger!  The  storms  of  tempta- 
tions, the  waves  of  corruption  may  dash  against  them ;  but  can  never 
prevail;  Jesus  sustains  them;  everlasting  love  secures  them;  omni- 
potence surrounds  them  ;  and  even  justice  and  truth  are  engaged  in 
their  defence.  Yes,  poor  believing  soul,  though  the  law  rates  thee 
a  rebel,  and  speaks  in  wrath  against  thee  as  such:  though  thou 
dost  exceedingly  quake  and  fear  ;  yet  ever  remember,  precious 
«'  Jesfts  hath  received  gifts  for  the  rebellious."  Waters  of  salvation* 
flow  plenleously  from  Jesus.  It  is  thy  meicy  daily  to  '-  drink  of  this 
spiritual  rock,"   1  Cor.  x.  4. 

Rcl-cis,  we  bi-okc  o'lr  ?»Iutr;r'.s  law  :  Tlir-  law  pvoc.lriinisr.o  tcrroi-  now, 

Ilefj-om  the  fhrc.'it'ninR  sets  us  free.  And  Sinai's  tliiiiider  ro^rs  no  more-:  ^ 

Roi'c  lliffutfvcnneflnceon  his  cross.  From  all  liis  wounds  new  blesyings  flow. 

And  uail'd  the  cui-ses  to  the  tree.  A  sea  of  joy  witkoat  a  shoi'C. 


'       JULY  9.  203 

But  faith  -which  tuorkcth  by  love. — Gal.  v.  G. 

In  the  religion  of  Jesus,  every  hope  of  salvation  is  excluded, 
but  what  springs  from  faith.  For  faith  receives  every  blessing  of 
covenant  love  of  a  gracious  Lord.  The  faith  of  God's  elect  hath 
Jesus  for  its  author,  his  truths  for  its  object,  his  word  for  tis  warrant, 
his  power  for  its  support,  his  glory  for  its  aim,  and  love  for  its 
inseparable  companion.  Thus  the  faith  of  the  gospel,  is  ever  dis- 
tinguished from  natural  notions.  But  it  is  natural  to  us  all,  to  mis- 
take error  for  truth,  fancy  for  faith,  the  heat  of  animal  passions  for 
love.  Yea,  and  also  to  be  very  confident  herein.  But  true  faith 
ever  worketh  by  love  ;  even  that  "love  which  rejoicctb  '\\\  the  truth," 
1  Cor.  xiii.  6.  Jesus  is  essentially  the  truth.  AH  the  love  which 
God  hath  to  us  centers  in  him,  and  flows  to  us  through  him.  Hence 
''  God  hath  chosen  us  in  him  before  the  foundation  of  the  world, 
that  we  should  be  holy,  and  without  blame  before  God  in  love  :  hav- 
ing predestinated  us  to  the  adoption  of  children  by  Jesus  Christ  to 
himself,  according  to  the  good  pleasure  of  his  will,  to  the  praise  of 
the  glory  of  his  grace,  wherein  he  hath  made  us  accepted  in  the  be- 
loved, and  blessed  us  with  all  spiritual  blessings  of  heavenly  tilings 
in  Christ,"  Eph.  i.  3.  6 — '<  sAid  we  are  made  the  righteousness  of 
God  in  Christ,"  2  Cor.  v.  21. 

Thus  faith  hath  truth  for  its  foundation,  and  from  the  knowledge 
of  tlie  truth  it  worketh  by  love.  Love  to  the  God  of  truth,  and  to 
our  brethren,  (not  as  being  of  this  sect  or  that  party,  but)  "  for  the 
truth's  sake  that  dwelleth  in  them,"  2  John,  ver.  1,  3.  There  is  no 
fellowship  in  love,  but  what  consists  in  the  light  of  the  truth.  Thus 
our  Lord  and  we  "  have  fellowship  one  with  another,"  1  John  i-  7. 
Take  away  any  part  of  God's  truth,  yau  subvert  the  foundation  of 
faith,  and  prevent  the  operations  of  love.  If  we  reject  the  truth, 
that  we  are  elected  to  salvation  in  Christ,  redeemed  by  the  blood  of 
Christ,  sanctified  in  Christ,  righteous  by  the  righteousness  of  Christ, 
and  Safely  kept  by  the  power  of  God  through  the  faith  of  Christ  to 
eternal  salvation,  faith  is  made  void.  Then  love  ceaseth  to  exist. 
Truth  and  love  are  equally  precious.  "  The  belief  of  the  truth,"  is 
the  precious  iove  of  achriuian.  Love,  is  the  blessed  fruit  of  faith. 
Herein  consists  thy  blessedness,  O  christian  i  "  What  God  hatli 
joined  together,  let  no  man  put  asimder."  Therefore  we  arc  ex- 
horted, "  Hold  fast  the  form  of  sound  words,  in  Jaith  and  love, 
wliich  is  in  Christ  Jesus,"  2  Tim.  i.  13.  So  by  *' speaking  the 
truth  in  love,  we  grow  up  irito  him  in  all  things,  who  is  the 
head,  even  Christ,"  Eph.  iv-  15- 

Hapjiy  iJic  hcHi'twhere  graces  ri;i?;n,  Tliis  is  the  grace  that  lives  ami  sinq;s, 

■Where  lf»vo  inspires  the  breast :  Wlicn  fait  li  and  hope  shall  cease  ; 

Love  is  tlio  hriijhtest  of  the  train;  'Tis  this  shall  strike  our  joyful  strings 

And  sUeiirthene  all  the  vest.  In  tjie  sweet  rcaliua  of  hliss. 


20i  JULY  10. 

I  will  not  leave  you  comfortless.'—'iohn  xiv.  18. 

We  are  born  into  this  world  crying  ;  we  live  in  it  complaining  ; 
and  we  go  out  of  it  sorrowing,  for  any  comfort  it  can  yield  us.  When 
cardinal  Woolsey  was  cast  off  by  his  king,  he  said,  '  Had  I  served 
my  God  as  faithfully  as  I  have  my  prince,  he  would  not  have  treated 
me  thus.'  The  more  we  know  of  this  world  the  more  \vc  see  its 
folly  and  vanity.  The  more  we  enjoy  of  its  smiles  and  friendship,  so 
much  the  more  sorrow  and  reluctance  we  have  in  leaving  it.  But 
with  our  heavenly  friend  it  is  quite  otherwise.  "He  never  leaves 
nor  forsakes  :  whom  he  loves,  he  loves  unto  the  end."  Nor  will  he 
ever  leave  his  dear  disciples  in  a  comfortless  state  of  sorrow  and  de- 
jection :  like  poor  orphans,  cast  upon  a  wide  world  ot  sorrow  and 
woe,  without  any  kind  heart  to  pity  tliem,  or  kind  hand  to  relieve 
them  :  for  when  all  other  comforts  forsake  us,  still  Jesus  abides  by 
us :  his  Spirit  comforts  us,  by  shewing  what  he  is  to  us ;  what  he 
has  done,  is  doing,  and  will  do  for  us.  The  apostles  had  lull  expe- 
rience of  t})c  promise  of  their  gracious  Lord.  "  He  comforteth  us 
in  all  tribulations,"  2  Cor.  i.  4.  '' In  me  ye  shall  have  peace."  And 
%vhy  doth  our  Lord  also  assure  us,  "  In  the  world  ye  shall  have  trib- 
ulation ?"  Joha  xvi.  3  J,  truly  he  loves  us  too  well  to  suffer  us  to 
take  up  our  rest  in  it.  If  with  Paul  at  Ephesus,  "  iifter  the  mcuiner 
of  men  we  fight  with  beasts,"  1  Cor.  xv.  32,  all  this  is  suffered  to 
render  the  v.  orld  more  inhospitable  ;  to  make  us  loathe  swines'  food, 
the  husks  of  this  world  ;  that  the  .bread  of  life,  the  comforts  of  Jesus, 
may  be  more  sought  after  and  enjoyed.  Why  is  sin  suffered  to 
dwell  in  us,  and  to  make  us  groan,  and  distress  us  ?  I'o  make  it 
more  hateful  to  us  ;  to  put  us  out  of  conceit  of  ourselves  and  our 
own  righteousness;  and  to  endear  the  atonement  and  righteousness 
of  Jesus  to  our  souls,  that  aJl  our  comfort  should  spring  from  him. 
Why  is  satan  suffered  to  harass  and  perplex  us  ?  That  as  the  sheep 
of  Christ's  pasture  we  should  keep  close  to  our  shepherd;  or  like 
frighted  children,  when  surly  dogs  bark  at  them,  fear  keeps  them 
near  their  f.iiher's  protection  and  within  the  bounds  of  his  habitation. 
So  we  find  the  comforts  of  living  near  our  .Saviour.  Do  we  carry 
about  a  weak  disordered  body  I  Here  is  our  comfort,  "  We  faint 
not,  knowing  that  the  outward  man  decayeth,  yet  the  inward  man  is 
renewed  day  by  day,"  2  Cor.  .iv.  1  6.  Thus,  glory  to  our  loving 
Lorcht  <'  he  comforts  us  concerning  our  faith,  and  causes  us  to  re- 
joice ill  hope  of  the  glory  of  God  ;  and  to  glory  in  tribulations, 
knov*'ing  that  tribulation  workcth  patience,  patience  experience,  ex- 
perience hope,  and  hope  maketh  notashamed,  because  the  love  of 
God  is  shed  abroad  in  our  heats  by  the  Holy  Ghost,"  Rom.  v.  2,  3, 
4,  5.       -> 


JULY  11.  20i 

IFe  knoxv  that  all  things  work  together  for  good  to  them 
that  love  ^  God.  to  them  who  are  the  called  according  to 
his  purpose — Rom.  viii.  28. 

A  POOR  sensible  sinneV  would  naturally  be  ready  to  make  one  ex- 
ception here,  and  say,  "  How  can  sin,  wliich  I  know  and  ft(;l  to  be 
the  very  worst  of  all  evils,  work  for  any  good  ?'*  But  the  Holy  Ghost 
hath  not  excepted  even  this.  Will  any  one  say,  Then  let  us  do  evil 
that  good  may  come  ?  St.  Paul  makes  a  terrible  application  to  such, 
"  Whose  damnation  is  just,"  Rom.  iii.  8.  Therefore  such  cannot 
be  the  language  of  a  believer's  heart,  for  his  salvation  is  sure,  <' he 
that  believes  shall  be  saved."  Such,  and  only  such,  most  assuredly 
know  that  all  things  work  together  for  good.  They  love  God,  and 
this  love  inspires  them  witli  hatred  to  sin.  But  yet  they  are  sinners, 
both  by  original  sin  and  actual  transgression  ;  nevertheless,  through 
the  all-wise  over-ruling  power  of  a  gracious  coveiiant  God,  even  the 
worst  of  evils,  sin,  shall  work  for  his  glory  and  their  good.  Is  the 
art  of  a  chemist  able  to  extract  the  most  salutary  medicine  from 
noxious  and  poisonous  ingredients  ?  and  camiot  the  infinitely  wise 
Jehovah,  who  at  the  beginning  spoke  chaos  and  confusion  into  beauty, 
and  order  and  darkness  into  light,  make  evil  to  work  for  good  ?  He 
hath  done  it.  He  will  do  it.  Canst  thou  think  of  that  world  of  sia 
and  evil  which  was  produced  by  the  fall  of  man  i  Dost  thou  not 
know  the  still  greater  good  which  it  has  been  made  to  work  for  maa 
by  Jesus  Christ?  If  man  had  not  sinned  the  glorious  attributes  of 
Jehovah  had  not  been  so  eminently  displayed.  As  this  is  true  of  a 
world  of  sin  in  general,  so  also  of  every  sin  in  particular.  Sin  is 
natural  to  man.  To  make  it  work  for  good,  is  the  supernatural  power 
of  God.  Sin  should  never  have  entered  into  the  world,  nor  should 
it  continue  in  God's  people,  was  it  not  to  magnify  his  grace  and  ad- 
vance the  glory  of  his  name.  Judas  delivers  Christ  to  death  for  gain: 
the  Jews  for  envy  :  Pilate  for  fear.  The  devil  provokes  each  through 
enmity.  God  makes  all  work  for  the  spiritual  good  and  eternal  sal- 
vation of  his  people.  Peter's  fall  shall  be  made  to  work  for  his  humi- 
lity and  self-diffidcnce  and  to  strengthen  his  brethren. 

<  Sin,  saith  St.  Austin,  first  wrought  sorrow,  and  now  godly  sor- 
row works  repentance  unto  salvation,  not  to  be  repented  of,  to  the 
death  of  sin  ;  so  the  daughter  destroys  the  mother.*  "  O  the  depth 
of  the  riches  both  of  the  wisdom  and  knowledge  of  God?  how  un- 
searchable are  his  judgments,  and  his  ways  past  finding  out," 
Rom.  xi.  33. 

Sin  for  my  good  does  work  and  vln  ;  For  all  my  sins  my  heart  is  sad. 

Yet 'tis  not  good  fou  me  to  sin.  '     Since  God's  dislionor'd  ;  yet  I'm  glad, 
My  pleasure  issues  from  my  pain  ;  Tlio'  once  1  was  a  slave  to  sin. 

My  losses  still  increase  my  gain>  Since  God  doth  thereby  glory  win. 

Vol.  I.  '  Bb 


206  JULY  12. 

Likewise  the  Spirit  also  helpeth  our  injirmities. — Rom. 
Aiii.  26. 

How  revivinj^  to  the  soul !  how  encouraging  to  the  mind  of  a 
disciple,  is  it  to  hear  the  experience  of  liis  brethren  and  compKinions 
in  the  faith  of  Jesus  !  To  this  end  the  blessed  Spirit  hath  caused  the 
saints  of  old  to  leave  on  record  his  dealings  of  love  with  their  souls. 
Thus  is  the  word  of  God  most  valuable  for  our  instruction,  edifica- 
tion, and  comfort.  Let  no  poor  follower  of  the  Lamb  think  he  is 
sinp-u!ar  in  feeling  an  insupportable  pressure  of  infirmities.  No  ;  the 
children  of  G  d  in  all  ages  knew  and  felt  the  same.  Whether  pro* 
phets  or  apostles,  none  were  perfectly  free  from  inward  distresses, 
temptations,  'ears,  dejections,  &c.  All  which  arise  from  our  still 
possessing  a  fallen  nature  which  subjects  us  to  these  sensations  and 
feelings.  They  are  our  burdens.  We  cannot  but  feel  them  and 
groan  under  them.  O  sad  and  dreadful  fall,  which  has  so  terribly 
maimed  and  bruised  the  royal  offspring  of  God  !  Though  we  are 
kings'  sons,  yet  like  Mephibosheth  we  are  lame  in  our  hands  and 
feet.  Our  infiimities  are  the  effects  of  ouryjz//.  Shortly  we  shall 
be  perfectly  freed  from  them.     This  is  our  glorious  hope. 

But  alas  !  how  oft  doth  present  distress  deject  our  hopes  ;  infirmi- 
ties bow  down  the  soul  ;  faith  grows  languid  ;  love  declines  ;  hope 
seems  at  the  last  gasp,  just  as  if  giving  up  the  ghost.  And  indeed 
all  would  end  in  gloomy  dejection  and  melancholy  despair,  if  the 
Lord  was  entirely  to  forsake  his  new  creation.,  But  that  never  can 
be  while  the  Father  loves,  the  Lamb  pleads,  and  the  Spirit  hath 
power  to  help.  Therefore  when  the  Spirit  sees  tlie  souls  of  his 
charge  pressed  above  measure  in  themselves,  and  ready  to  sink 
under  their  burdens,  he  reaches  forth  a  tender  hand  of  assistance  ; 
helps  against  infimities,  by  enabling  the  soul  to  look  to  the  adorable 
Jesus,  to  an  everlasting  covenant,  to  precious  promises,  to  a  recon- 
ciled God  ;  and  puts  this  sweet  cry  in  the  heart,  Abba,  Father. 
Then  coivfidence  revves  ;  hope  springs  afresh  ;  love  is  excited  ;  the 
power  of  prayer  breaks  forth  in  the  hearty  and  ascends  in  sweet  fervor 
from  the  soul.  Whatever  flesh  and  blood  may  alledge  to  the  con- 
trary, infirmities  are  made  profitable  to  the  soul :  or  St.  Paul  would 
never  have  declared,  "  most  gladly  therefore  will  I  glory  in  my  in- 
firmities." Why  ?  is  there  any  good  in  them  for  which  they  should 
b^esired  ?  No  ;  but  "  that  the  power  of  Christ  may  rest  upon  us," 
2  Cor.  xii.  9. 

Etcrn.iT  Spiri) !  m'c  confess  Thine  imvard  tcaclangs  make  us  know 

Anil  sinij  the  wonders  of  thy  pfracc  ^  Our  tlangef  and  our  refuge  too. 

Thv  power  convcvs  our  hlessintfs  down  The  trouhlcd  conscience  knows  thy  voicCj 

Fiom  Qod  t)ie  Father  and  the  Son.  Thy  charming  views  awake  our  joys ;  __ 

Eullpjhtcn'd  hy  thy  heav'nly  rsy,  ,  Thy  words  allay  the  stormy  wind, 

Our  shades  and  darkness  turn  to  day  :  And  calm  the  surges  of  the  mind. 


JULY  13.  207 

The  Lord  thy  God  will  circumcise  thine  heart  and  the  heart 
of  thy  seed,  to  love  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all  thine 
hearty  arid  with  all  thy  soul,  that  thou  may  est  live. — 
Dcut.  XXX.  6. 

Even  Moses,  who  delivered  the  fiery  law  of  wrath  and  tcvror, 
preaches  like  a  Barnabas,  a  son  of  consolation.  In  this  chapter  we 
have  a  precious  enumeration  of  new-covenant  blessings  and  evai;i';e- 
lical  promises,  tdl  settled  in  the  eternal  counsels  between  Jehovah, 
Father,  Son  and  Spirit;  all  founded  in  infinite  wisdom,  everlastinf^Iovc, 
and  immutable  faithfulness  ;  therefore  sure  to  all  the  seed  "  who  are 
chosen  in  Christ  Jesus  before  the  foundation  of  the  world  "  Such  is 
the  solid  found.ition  of  gospel  faith  and  hope.  The  happy  heirs  of  it 
the  Lord  God  sets  a  special  mark  upon.  Hereby  he  owns  them  as 
his  peculiar  ones.  This  is  also  an  evidence  to  them  of  their  special 
relation  to  him.  As  tlie  Father  loved  his  people  before  time,  and 
gave  them  to  Jesus,  to  be  redeemed  in  the  fulness  of  time  ;  -so 
also,  at  the  appointed  time,  the  Lord  the  Spirit  performs  his  office 
upon  them — he  circumcises  their  hearts.  This  power  bclongeth  to 
God  only.  This  St.  Paul  calls  "  the  circumcision  made  without 
hands,"  Col.  ii.  11.  Outward  cii^cumcision  was  a  painful  operation 
to  the  flesh.  By  it  was  signified  the  cutting  off  all  carnal  hope  and 
legal  confidence  in  the  flesh  ;  and  was  a  sign  and  seal  of  new-covenant 
blessings  by  Jesus.  The  circumcision  of  the  heart  brings  the  expe- 
rience and  enjoyment  of  hope  in  Jesus,  peace  and  joy  in  Jesus,  and 
a  longing  expectation  of  the  full  enjoyment  of  Jesus  in  gloiy  to  the 
soul. 

When  the  callousness  and  hardness  of  thp  heart  is  cut  off",  then  it 
gladly  hears  and  receives  the  love  of  God»its  crucified  Saviour.  This 
love,  known  and  believed,  begets  love  to  God  in  a  circumcised  heart. 
And  though  there  is  all  comfort  in  love,  yet  there  is  a  painful  sensa- 
tion attends  loving  souls.  This  is  the  fruit  and  evidence  of  love. 
They  mourn  and  grieve  at  feeling  the  sins  and  corruptions  of  their 
natures  :  they  are  pained  at  the  sight  of  them — groan  under  a  sti;se 
of  tliem — are  filled  with  shanae  for  them,  and  detestation  aga'nst 
them.  O  how  do  they  strive  against  them  and  cry  to  Jesus  for  vir- 
tory  over  them  !  To  <'  love  the  Lord  with  all  their  heart  and  with 
all  their  soul,"  this  is  their  one  desire  on  earth  ;  that  they  may  be  in 
love,  wholly  devoted  to  him  who  bought  them  with  his  blood.  Uf 
all  such  souls  the  Spirit  of  inspiration  declares,  "Happy  art  thovi,  O 
Israel  !  who  is  like  unto  thee,  O  people,  saved  by  the  Lord  !"  D>  ut. 
xxxiii.  29.  "  We  are  the  circumcision  who  worship  God  in  the 
Spirit,  rejoice  in  Christ  JesHs,  and  have  no  confidence  in  the  flesh,' 
Phil.  iii.  3. 


208  JULY  14. 

But  this  7na?i,  after  he  had  offered  one  sacrifice  for  sitty 
for  ever  sat  down  on  the  right  hand  of  Ood.—Htb, 
X.   (2 

The  cross  of  Christ  is  the  christian's  glory.  Yet  the  small 
share  that  Jesus  h.  th  in  the  christian's  affections  is  his  shame. 
Riitilly  disciples  of  Jesus  do  not  love  their  Saviour  as  they  ought. 
"Why,  becausf;  they  are  slow  of  heart  to  believe  his  love  to  ihcm  and 
his  sufferings  for  them.  How  little  are  our  hearts  in  meditations  upon 
the  labors  of  love,  toils  of  sorrows,  and  agonies  of  soul,  which 
Jesus  in  our  nature  sustained  on  our  account.  If  a  friendly  arm  is 
re;ichcd  forth  and  snatches  a  poor  mortal  from  the  jaws  of  approach- 
ing death,  how  does  it  call  forth  love  to  his  kind  deliverer  !  wlien 
he  reflects  on  his  danger,  how  does  it  excite  his  gratitude  1  he  can- 
not think  of  his -preserver  but  he  remembers  his  mercy.  But  where 
is  our  warm  affection,  our  fervent  love  to  that  precious  ?nan,  whose 
heart  was  a  flame  of  love  to  vis,  and  who  willingly  offered  himself 
as  a  sacrifice  for  o\ir  sins  ?  how  was  he  straitened  till  this  baptism 
was  accomplished  I  how  did  his  soul  long  till  it  was  finished  !  But 
alas  !  we  think  too  little  of  our  danger.  We  are  too  prone  to  look 
Upon  sin  as  a  matter  of  small  moment ;  because  the  sacrifice  of  Jesus 
is  not  so  constantly  upon  our  hearts.  Disciple,  dost  thou  not  see 
cause  of  mourning  for  this  ?  hast  thou  not  cause  to  p'ruy  daily  for 
more  heart-affecting  views  of  Jesus  by  the  Spirit  ?  O  the  infihitc 
value  of  this  one  sacrifice  !  Sin,  how  malignant  its  nature  !  how 
deep  its  stain  !  nothing  but  blood  divine  could  atone  for  it.  How 
prevalent  this  one  sacrifice  !  it  hath  for  ever  put  away  all  our  sins. 
Behold  the  man  !  gaze,  wonder,  adore,  and  love  ;  Jesus  on  the 
cross,  fully  atoning  for  sin.  This  work  being  for  ever  done  ;  behold 
this  7nan  for  ever  sat  down  on  the  right  hand  of  God.  There  lie 
pleads  the  sinner's  cause  and  presents  the  "perfection  of  his  sacrifice. 
What  singular  consolation  is  this  !  A  sense  of  sin  is  distressing  to 
the  converted  soul.  But  O,  when  the  one  sacrifice  by  this  07ie 
man  is  beheld  by  the  eye  of  faith,  how  does  it  revive  the  drooping 
heart,  give  peace  to  the  troubled  conscience,  and  excite  joy  in  the 
sorrowful  mind  !  Poor  sinners  have  nothing  else  to  look  to  for  liope. 
Pardon  and  peace  can  be  had  from  no  other  object  but  the  blood  of 
Jesus.  Of  this  we  can  never  glory  too  much.  Nor  can  our  con- 
fidence be  too  strong,  our  expectations  too  great,  our  triumphs  ia 
Je?;us  over  sin,  satan,  the  law  and  death,  be  at  any  time  unseason- 
able. These  precious  truths  are  our  never-failing  springs  of  consola- 
tion. "  The  blood  of  Jesus  cleanseth  from  all  sin.  If  we  sin,  v,e 
have  an  advocate  with  the  Father,"  1  John  ii.  1. 

Our  fiyt.h  adores  thy  bleedinpf  love,  We  Lope  for  licavcnly  crowns  above 

And  trusts  for  life  in  one  that  dy'd  ;    -     Fi  om  a  Redeemer  crucify'd. 


JULY  15.  20G 

And  fn,  an  horror  f^f  great  darkness  fell  on  him. — Gen. 
XV.    12. 

There  is  somewhat  very  gloomy  and  awful  in  what  is  called  <  a 
total  eclipse  of  the  sun*  When  the  earth  is  darkened,  creation  puts 
on  a  melancholy  aspect  and  seems  to  mourn  in  silent  sadness.  But 
the  surprise  and  astonishment  which  naturally  affects  ub  on  these 
accounts  arc  £!:rcatly  abated,  as  these  are  not  uncommon  appearances 
in  nature  ;  and  as  they  arc  foretold  and  accounted  for.  As  in  the  na- 
tural, so  it  is  in  the  spiritual  world.  The  children  of  God  in  all  ages 
have  experienced  darkness  of  soul :  therefore  none  should  think  this 
peculiar  when  they  are  exercised  thus,  "  as  though  some  strange 
thino-  had  happened  to  them,"  1  Pet.  iv.  12.  We  see  Abraham, 
the  friend  of  God,  and  father  of  the  faithful,  under  an  eclipse  of  the 
bri'vht  shining  of  the  sun  of  righteousness.  The  consequence  of  this 
darkness  was  an  liorror,  vca  an  horror  of  great  darkness  fell  on  hirii. 
And  this  too,  after  an  extraordinary  appearance  of  the  Lord  himself 
to  him,  who  called  him  by  name,  bid  him  fear  not  — assures  him, 
1  am  tfiii  nhield  and  thy  exceeding  great  reward  :  then  gives  him  the 
comfortable  promise  of  the  seed  that  should  spring  from  him. 
Upon  which,  Abraham  "  be.lieved  in  the  Lord,  and  he  counted  it  to 
him  fnr  ricrhteousness  ;"  and  he  offers  a  sacrifice  as  the  Lord  com- 
manded.  But,  alas,  how  soon  did  his  bright  sun  of  comfort  disap- 
pear !  How  soon  did  darkness  and  horror  fall  upon  him  !  How 
changeable  are  our  frames  !  Extraordinary  manifestations  of  comfort 
and  joy  are  often  succeeded  by  darkness  of  soul  and  trials  of  faith. 
Sn  it  was  with  our  dear  Saviour  after  the  Father's  declaration, 
«  This  is  my  beloved  Son  :"  after  the  visible  descent  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  upon  him,  he  was  led  into. the  wilderness,  to  undergo  the 
most  sharp  and  trying  temptations.  Thus  again  St.  Paul,  after  he 
liad  been  caught  up  to  tlic  third  heavens,  a  messenger  of  satan  was 
sent  to  buffet  him. 

Hence,  O  believer,  under  spiritual  darkness  and  distress  cf  soul 
write  not  bitter  things  against  tliysclf.  Thhik  not  God  ceaseth  to 
love  thee  and  visits  in  wrath.  No  :  God  ever  rests  in  love  ;  he 
changeth  not ;  his  love  is  ever  the  same.  Thou  -art  cquidly  as  safe  " 
in  his  hands  .in  the  dark,  though  not  so  comfortable  as  in  the  light. 
Nay,  love  itself  enquires  after  souls  in  such  a  state  and  gives  precious 
advice  to  them.  See  and  study  Isaiah  1.  10.  Now  the  Lord  teaches 
his  sovereignty  ;  instructs  in  humility  :  excites  patience  ;  shews  thee 
thy  nothingness;  cuts  off  all  glorying  in  thyself;  strengthens  thy 
trust  in  him ;  draws  out  thy  hope  from  thyself  to  him  ;  and  shews 
thee  that  all  the  promises  center  in  Jesus,  and  shall  be  [uljilicd  in 
God's  own  way  and  manner.  Saith  Jesus,  "  He  who  foiicwcth  me, 
shall  not  walk  in  darkness,  but  shall  have  the  light  of  life,"  John 
viii,  12. 


210  JULY  16. 

JVo  man  can  say  that  Jesus  is  the  Lord,  but  by  the  Holy 
Ghost. — 1  Cor.  xii.  3. 
^'  As  the  heavens  declare  the  glory  of  the  Lord,  and  the  firma- 
ment shcweth  his  handy-work  :"  so  every  page  of  his  sacred  word 
proclaims  his  grace  to  his  people,  reminds  them  of  the  insufficiency 
of  their  natural  power  and  free-wiil  to  any  saving  purposes.  FormiU 
professors  say,  that  Jesus  is  the  Lord.  The  confession  is  easy.  It 
is  common  to  the  openly  profane,  and  the  most  decent  Pharisee  ; 
but  is  no  more  profitable  to  salvation  than  the  true  declaration  from 
satan,  «' Thou  art  tlie  Holy  One  of  God,''  Mark  i.  24.  But  saving 
confession  of  Jesus  with  the  lips  proccecds  from  inward  believing  on 
Jesus  with  the  heart ;  and  this  from  spiritual  discoveries  to  the  mind 
by  the  Holy  Ghost.  O  believe)-,  know  thy  distmguishing  blessing  ! 
Esteem  not  this  a  common  privilege,  but  special  grace,  that  thou 
canst  see,  canst  own,  canst  come  to,  trust  in,  and  call  the  despised 
INazarene,  the  once  sin-bearing,  sin-atoning,  curse-sustaining  Jesus, 
thy  Lord  and  thy  God ;  in  whom  is  all  thy  liope,  and  from  -whom 
is  all  thy  salvation.     This  is  truly  the  fuith  of  God's  elect. 

Hear  what  thy  master  proclaims  of  such  a  confession  ;  "  Blessed 
art  thou;  for  fie  sh  and  blood  hatli  not  revealed  this  unto  thee,  but 
my  Father  which  is  in  heaven,"  Matt.  xvl.  17.  This  is  the  mys- 
tery of  the  Father's  kingdom  :  this  is  given  only  to  his  children  to 
know.  Therefore  the  Holy  Ghost  is  sent  into  their  hearts  to  make 
it  manifest.  Most  blessed  confession  !  May  it  be  ever  uppermost  in 
our  minds,  on  our  lips,  and  evidehced  by  our  lives',  that  Jesus  is 
Jrho-jah.  That  Jesus  is  the  Lord,  the  Saviour,  the  man,  and 
Mediator — our  atonement  on  the  cross;  our  righteousness  in  his  life ; 
our  intercessor  at  the  right-hand  of  glory  ;  this,  this  is  our  plea  to 
all  that  are  against  us.  We  are  sure  it  is  a  godly,  righteous  plea, 
for  it  is  given  us  by  the  Holy  Ghost  in  the  word  of  truth.  By  it  the 
Father* is  glorified  ;  Jesus  is  honored;  drooping,  fainting  hearts  are 
revived  and  comforted  ;  faith  is  established,  hope  confirmed,  love 
increased,  holiness  advanced,  satan  vanquished,  sin  subdued,  the 
law  answered,  the  world  overcome,  death  conquered,  and  we  sharers 
in  the  triumphs  of  glory  and  immortality. 

Christian  soul  chear  up.  With  this  truth  in  tliine  heart :  with 
this  confession  in  thy  mouth,  go  on  thy  way  rejoicing  :  nor  men  nor 
devils  can  harm  thee.  Jesus  thy  Saviour  is  the  Lord  almighty  to 
protect,  ^ver-loving  to  save.  Only  fear  to  offend  against  love  itself. 
Never  suffer  a  doubt  of  Jesus'  love  in  thy  mind.  Grieve  not  the  Holy 
vSpirit.  Come,  a  few  more  days  to  prove  thy  allegiance  to  Jesus  thy 
Lord  on  earth,  and  thou  shalt  reign  with  him  in  glory.  Ever  re- 
member thy  Lord's  blessed  promise,  ^'Whosoever  shall  confess  me 
before  men, -him  will  I  confess  also  before  my  Father  which  is  in 
heaven,"  Matt.  x.  52. 


JULY  17.  2U 

Jesus  said,  will  ye  also  go  away? — John  vi.  67. 

This,  O  soul,  is  the  voice  of  thy  beloved.  Thy  friend  put  this 
question  to  his  own  disciples.  Our  captuin  keeps  no  prest  men  in 
his  service.  All  his  ^subjects  enter  as  volunteers.  They  are  mudu 
willing  to  come  to  him,  believe  on  him  and  greatly  estci;m  the  day 
of  his  power,  to  follow  and  cleave  to  him.  Force,  restraint,  and 
compulsion  act  not  on  their  ingenuous  minds.  But  what  they  find 
in  Jesus  now,  present  peace;  what  they  expect  from  Jesus  hereafter, 
glory  and  salvation,  endears  him  to  their  souls. 

Daily  observation  furnishes  with  instances  of  many  who  profess  to 
own  Christ  and  to  follow  him  for  a  season  ;  but  anon,  through  not 
understanding  his  doctrine,  not  seeing  tlieir  own  misery -and  wretch- 
edness, and  not  knowing  his  love,  they  are  offended,  forsake  Christ, 
his  truths  and  his  ways.  They  go  back  again  to  the  v/oild,  to  the 
enjoyment  of  their  lusts,  and  take  up  with  carnal  preachers,  who 
cry  peace,  peace  unto  them.  Thus  they  make  shipwreck  of  faith 
and  a  good  conscience,  which  they  professed  to  have  ;  and  the  last 
end  of  such  is  worse  than  their  first.  They  forsake  their  own  mer- 
cies, by  turning  their  backs  upon  precious  Jesus  ;  and  are  left  to 
perish  without  hope  or  remecly. 

But  a  true  disciple,  who  knows  Jesus  in  spirit  and  truth,  our  Sa- 
viour keeps  from  such  folly.  The  sight  of  others  falling  off  and 
leaving  him  is  made  of  blessed  use  to  such.  It  excites  humility  and 
gratitude — quickens  to  holy  jealousy  and  godly  watchfulness.  Such 
a  tender  expostulation  put  to  the  soul,  "  Wilt  thou  also  go  away  V' 
O  how  it  kindles  a  spark  of  fire,  and  blows  up  a  flume  of  love  in  the 
poor  sinner's  heart  I  As  when  a  tender,  indulgent  parent  says  to  his 
dear  little  child,  Wilt  thou  go  away  and  leave  me  ?  How  does  it 
draw  forth  the  love  and  affection  of  its  heart !  and  the  little  thing, 
with  eager  embraces,  clings  the  faster  to  its  parent.  O,  by  this 
question  our  dear  Saviour  has  often  roused  my  sluggish  heart :  and 
called  forth  a  holy  fear  ;  and  excited  an  earnest  cry,  "  Lord  keep  me 
— O  never,  never  let  me  forsake  thee  !" 

When  the  aged  Polycarp  was  joyfully  going  to  seal  the  truth  of 
his  faith  with  his  blood,  being  threatened  by  his  pro-consul  with  death 
in  various  shapes,  answered,  '  Why  tarriest  thou  ?  Bring  forth  what 
tliou  wilt :  we  christians  are 'fixed  in  our  minds  not  to  change  from 
good  to  evil.'  Then  the  pro-consul  promised  him  liberty  if  he-would 
reproach  Christ.  (O,  the  affecting  reply  1  how  ingenuous  !  how 
full  of  love !)  '  Eighty  and  six  years  (said  he)  have  I  served  my  Lord 
Christ,  and  he  has  never  done  me  the  least  wrong  :  how  then  can  I 
blaspheme  my  King  and  my  Saviour?'  How  victorious  is  faith  I  how 
powerful  is  love  ;  Lord,  increase  our  faith  1  Jesus  inflame  our  love! 
''  To  whom  should  we  go  ?  Thou  hast  the  words  of  eternal  life," 
John  vi.  6«. 


212  JULY  18. 

All  scripture  is  given  hy  inspiration  of  God ;  and  is  prO" 
Jitahlcfor  doctrine^  for  reproof  for  correction  for  in- 
struction in  righteousness :  that  the  man  of  God  may 
be  perfect,  thoroughly  furnished  tmto  all  good  ivorks.—- 
2  Tim.  iii.   16,   17. 

The  poor  sinner  who  writes  this,  being  in  a  dangerous  illness, 
was  in  a  very  dark  and  comfortless  frame  of  mind  for  two  days. 
The  third  day,  light,  peace  and  joy  overspread  his  soul  by  these 
words  being  brought  to  his  mind  :  "After  two  days  he  will  revive 
us,  in  the  third  day  he  will  raise  us  up,  and  we  shall  live  in  his 
sight."  On  this  he  called  for  a  bible.  O  how  was  his  inexpressible 
joy  increased  when  he  read  these  woids  in  Hosea  vi.  2.  On  being 
asked,  If  he  had  done  with  the  bible  ?  he  answered  witli  a  flood  of 
joyful  tears,  '  No  :  never,  never  shall  I  have  done  with  that  blessed 
book,  till  I  change  time  for  eternity.'  The  Spirit  of  inspiration  ever 
honors  his  own  word  of  truth.  All  peace,  comfort  and  joy  arc  deriv- 
ed from  it  through  faith.  We  shall  suffer  no  loss,  if  we  suspend 
judgments  on  comforts,  till  we  have  tried  them  by  this  touchstone  of 
truth.  13e  on  your  guard  against  the  flatteries  of  false  peace  and 
the  delusions  of  unscriptural  joys. 

Revealed  truths  are  inspired  of  God  :  tliey  are  the  objects  of  faith  . 
By  the  knowledge  of  them  the  Spirit  consolutes  the  soul,  lovingly 
reproves  and  corrects  what  is  amiss;  profitably  instructs  in  the  fun- 
damental truths  of  Jesus'  righteousness  unto  justification  of  life  ;  and 
the  .believer's  obedience  unto  righteousness.  No  one  doctrine  of 
God's  word  should  be  slightly  regarded.  In  this  sense,  he  that  re- 
jects one  point  of  truth  is  guilty  of  all.  This  is  to  impeach  the  wis- 
dom of  the  Spirit,  as  though  he  had  made  known  any  one  needless  and 
insignificant  doctrine.  This,  instead  of  being  doers  of  the  word,  is 
to  judge  and  condemn  the  word.  Jesus  is  the  sum  and  substance  of 
the  scriptures.  .  All  the  promises  are  in  him.  All  tlie  doctrines  of 
grace  lead  to  him  and  centre  in  him.  These  are  the  furniture  of 
faith  while  Jesus  is  the  cliief  object  of  the  soul.  So  disciples  go  on 
to  perfection  iji  knowledge,  love  and  holiness  ;  therefore  they  should 
prize  the  scripture  as  their  companion  ;  cousviit  it  us  their  familiar 
friend*;  and  pray  over  it  as  their  constant  guide.  To  tiiese  ends  they 
are  givcR^of  God  :  when  tluis  received  by  us,  wc  shall  also  be  "  edi- 
fied, and  walk  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  and  in  the  comlort  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,"  Actsix.  ol. 


Laflen  with  g;nilt  and  full  of  foars.  The  volume  of  my  Father's  grace 

1  lly  to  tlico,  my  Lord,  Docs  ali  my  grief  assuage  : 

\r\>]     )t  II  ;<limj1sc;  of  hope  appears.  Here  I  behold  my  Saviour's  fticc 

But  ill  thy  written  v/ord.  '  Almost  i'l  ev'ry  pa?;e. 


-    JULY  19.  213 

IVe  have  not  an  hi^h  priest  who  cannot  be  touched  with  the 
feeling  of  our  infirmities  ;  but  was  in  all  points  tempted 
like  as  we  are  ;  yet  without  sin. — Hcb.  iv.  15. 

"  Without  sin  !"  t),  cries  tlie  sanctified  soul,  that  this  was  my 
happy  state.  And  verily,  as  sure  as  the  word  of  God  is  true,  thou 
shalt  enjoy  this  perfect  freedom  from  thy  worst  enemy.  But  tliou 
must  be  content  to  wait  God's  time,  and  live  in  God's  way  ;  that 
is,  by  faith  upon  thy  best  friend  Jesus.  Thy  present  blessedness  is 
t  o  understand  and  rejoice  in  this  great  mystery,  that  Christ  who 
knew  no  sin  was  made  sin  for  us.  Therefore,  by  faith  we  glory, 
knowinp^  that  God  looketh  on  us,  blesseth  us  as  righteous  in  Christ, 
and  doth  not  impute  sin  unto  us.  As  the  head  is  without  sin,  so  arc 
all  the  members,  viewed  and  beloved  in  the  sight  of  God.  And  this 
is  the  evidence  that  we  are  born  of  the  Spirit  and  have  the  mind  of 
Cluist,  that  we  hate  all  sin  and  long  for  entire  deliverance  from  it, 
and  aspire  after  full  conformity  to  the  image  of  God.  But  this  we 
cannot  enjoy  in  the  body.  We  must  first  sleep  in  Jesus  ere  we 
awake  up  after  his  perfect  likeness. 

In  the  mean  time  we  have  a  loving,  sympathizing  high-priest 
before  the  throne  of  God.  Thi^s  is  our  comfort.  That  very  human 
nature  in  which  our  sins  were  expiated  on  earth,  is  now  crowned 
with  glo'-y  in  heaven.  This  is  very  refreshing.  Chiist  can  as  soon 
forget  his  own  glory  as  any  part  of  his  suffering  body.  He  feels 
for  them.  He  is  touched  with  the  most  tender  concern  and  affection 
towards  them.  He  knows  what  sore  temptations  mean,  for  he  hath 
felt  the  same.  Temptations,  even  though  most  violent,  cannot 
harm  us  ;  nay,  they  do  not  defile  us  unless  we  enter  into  them. 
Therefore,  they  should  not  deject  us.  *  And  need  we  ever  be  over- 
come by  them  ?  Doth  not  Jesus  live  ?  Have  we  not  free  and  familiar 
access  to  him,  as  the  glorified  man  and  Mediator  ?  Is  not  all  power 
in  heaven  and  earth  given  unto  him  ?  Believcst  thou  this,  O  soul  ? 
Think  on  Calvary's  proof  of  his  love.  Remember  Bethany's  proof 
of  his  resurrection.  Call  to  mind  his  tender  love  to,  and  affectionate 
care  for  his  sheep,  when  Saul  was  worrying  them.  O  he  called, 
«  Why  pcrsecutest  thou  me  ?"  Thou  canst  not  hurt  them,  but  I  feel 
it.  He  ever  lives  at  the  right-hand  of  glory  to  intercede  for  and  save 
us  poor  sinners.  And  let  thy  distress  be  what  it  may,  his  Ibvfhg 
advice  suits  it.  "  Call  upon  me  in  the  day  of  trouble,  I  will  deliver 
thee,  and  thou  shalt  glorify  me,"  Psalm  1.  15. 

With  joy  we  meditate  tlie  grace  .         And  in  his  mensiircfcels  afrcoh 
Of  our  hi;^li  priest  above  ;  "\\'li;it  ev'ry  member  bears. 

Hi.,  lioart  is  made  of  tenderness.  Then  let  our  humble  faiti.  address 

His  bowels  melt  with  love.  His  mercy  and  bis  pow'r  ; 

He  in  the  days  of  feeble  fl?nh  We  shall  obtain  deliv'ring  grace 

Po'i'-'d  out  his  cries  and  tears.  In  tlie  distressing  hour. 

^^L.  I.  c  c 


214  JULY  20. 

Holding  the  mystery  of  the  faith  in  a  pure  conscience.'^^ 
I  Tim.  iii.  9. 

From  a  seeming  zeal  and  regard  to  the  ark  of  God,  when  it 
shook,  and  as  he  thought  was  in  danger  of  falling,  Uzzah  put  forth 
his  hand  to  save  it.  It  seems  a  very  rational  act,  but  it  argued  dis- 
trust of  God's  power  to  preserve  what  was  for  his  glory  and  honor ; 
therefore  the  Lord  highly  resented  it. 

If  the  displeasure  of  Jehovah  was  thus  displayed  in  x'egai-d  to  the 
type  of  the  covenant,  how  jealous  is  the  Lord  of  hosts  of  his  own 
gloiy,  contained  in  the  truths  of  the  everlasting  covenant,  laid  up  in 
the  sacred  ark,  Jesus,  for  all  his  people  I  If  a  trembling  ark,  touched 
by  an  officious  hand>  was  death ;  one  should  fear  and  tremble  to 
attack  the  revealed  truths  of  God's  everlasting  love  to  his  people, 
power  to  preserve  them,  and  grace  to  enable  them  to  persevere  in 
the  faith  unto  eternal  glory.  Human  efforts  often  spring  from  unbe- 
lieving hearts.  The  hand  of  nature  is  often  stretched  forth  to  assist 
when  it  only  couateracts  divine  purposes.  Carnal  reason  ever  oppo- 
seth  the  mystery  of  the  gospel,  but  faith  is  supported  by  God's 
truths.  The  conscience  can  only  be  purified  by  Jesus'  blood. 
This  mystery  of  faith  is  only  known  to  enlightened  minds.  To 
hold  by  it,  and  to  hold  it  fast  in  the  conscience,  is  the  life  and  joy  of 
our  souls.  So  the  Holy  Spirit  maintains  vital,  living  union  between 
Jesus  and  his  members.  So  love  is  excited  to  him.  A  life  of  de- 
pendence maintained  on  him.  ,  A  throne  of  grace  is  delightful  to 
such.  Sin  becomes  more  and  more  hateful  in  their  sight,  mid  the 
fruits  of  righteousness  are  increased  to  God's  gloiy.  O,  this  is  an 
amazing  mystery  of  our  faith  !  That  we,  who  are  guilty  sinners  in. 
ourselves,  yet  are  in  Christ  pure  and  free  from  all  sin  ;  unrighteous 
in  ourselves,  yet  in  Jesus  clothed  with  perfect  righteousness  ;  filthy 
and  polluted  by  nature  and  practice,  but  in  Jesus,  all  fair,  without 
spot,  beautiful  and  comely  in  God's  sight.  In  ourselves,  no  right  to 
God's  love,  no  title  to  his  inheritance  ;  but  in  Jesus  our  right  is  clearj 
our  title  legal,  our  enjoyment  of  it  infallibly  certain.  Hold  fast  tliis 
mystery  of  faith  :  all  thy  peace  and  comfort  depend  on  it.  Thus, 
disciple,  fix  thy  steady  eye  on  Jesus  ;  daily  view  the  promises  in  him  ; 
look  constantly  for  the  Spirit's  power  through  him.  So  shalt  thou 
have  "  the  answer  of  a  good  conscience  towards  God  by  the  resur- 
rection of  Jesus,"  1  Peter  iii.  21.  "  Hold  thou  me  up,  and  I  shall 
be  safe ;  and  I  will  have  respect  unto  thy  statutes  contmually,"  Psalm 
exix.  117. 

■\\niy  (Iocs  your  face,  yc  humLle  souls,        A'Aakc  our  licarts,  adore  the  grace 
Those  mournful  colours  wear  ?  That  buries  all  our  faults, 

^Vhat  doubts  are  these  that  waste  your  Ami  l«»''<l'n'"S^'oo^'>  t*^^*  s'**'^^^^"^*'^^ 
A  nd  nourish  your  despair  ?  [faitli,      Our  follies  and  our  flioughts. 


JULY  21.  215 

Now  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  himself,  and  God  even  our 
Father,  which  hath  loved  us,  and  hath  iriven  us  everlast- 
ing consolation,  and  good  hope  through  grace^  comfort 
your  hearts,  and  stablish  you  in  every  good  word  and 
work, — 2  Thess.  ii.  16,  17. 

Believers  in  Jesus  know  that  "  tlic  remembrance  of  sin  is 
grievous,  and  the  burden  intolerable."  A  sight  and  sense  oi  sin 
aifects  their  conscience  with  sorrow  and  distress.  There  is  daily 
need  that  their  poor  hearts  should  be  comforted  :  and  also  that  they 
should  be  established  in  every  good  word  and  work.  But  from  v  hence 
■shall  they  derive  this  ?  from  striving  to  forget,  palititc,  or  excuse 
their  past  sins  ?  by  promising  to  be  more  stedfast  for  the  future  in 
the  truths  of  God  and  obedience  to  his  will  ?  Alas  1  he  who  truly 
knows  what  a  sinful  nature  is,  who  is  really  acquainted  with  his  own 
weakness  and  insufficiency  to  that  which  is  good,  and  his  prwieness 
to  all  evil,  will  not,  cannot  thus  deceive  his  own  soul.  But  ihe  con- 
verted soul  will  ingenuously  confess  his  sins  to  his  God  mid  Saviour, 
lay  them  open  with  their  aggravathig  circumstances,  mourn  over 
them  with  a  godly  sorrow,  own  his  just  deserts  for  them  ;  and  in  the 
exercise  of  faith,  look  "to  the  Lamb  of  God,  who  taketh  away  the 
sin  of  the  world."  Here  is  the  everlasting  spring  of  consolation 
which  God  hath  given  us,  "  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ  his  Son  clean - 
scth  us  from  all  sin."  Here  is  our  good  hope,  through  the  grace  of 
Jesus  we  are  completely  righteous  in  Christ.  We  stand  perfectly 
accepted  in  God's  beloved  Son.  Faith  and  hope  are  inseparable. 
"We  believe  the  truth  as  in  Jesus  ;  we  hope  daily  for  more  and  more 
of  tlie  consolations  of  it.  In  this  way,  disciple  of  Jesus,  thou  canst 
never  believe  nor  hope  too  much.  Na/,  is  it  not  thy  distress  and 
heaviness  that  thy  faith  is  weak,  thy  hope  languid,  and  thy  love  so 
cold  ?  But  why  is  this  ?  Not  for  want  of  a  foundation  for  faith  and 
hope  ;  for  "  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  himself,  and  God  our  Father 
hath  loved  us."  Who  ?  only  the  prophets,  apostles,  holy  men  of 
old,  righteous  persons  ?  Nay,  but  sinners  of  mankind  :  such  was  the 
character  of  all  those  whom  the  apostle  includes  in  the  pronoun  vs. 
And  as  the  consequence  of  this  love  "  he  hath  given  us  cxnr las  ting 
consolation."  Not  the  effect  of  time  ;  not  subject  to  mutability ; 
but  solid,  perpetual,  and  eternal.  Founded  in  the  everlasting  cove- 
nant, established  in  everlasting  righteousness,  issuing-  in  everlasting 
salvation,  revealed  in  the  everlasting  gospel,  and  applied  to  the  soul 
by  the  everlasting  Spirit.  Consolation  and  comfort  are  enjoyed  in 
stability  in  the  good  word  of  God,  and  in  the  good  works  of  faith, 
"  to  the  praise  of  tlie  glory  of  God's  grace,"  Eph.  i.  G, 


216  JULY  22. 

T'his  is  the  true  God  and  eternal  life.     Keep  yourselves 
from  idols      Amen. — I  John  v.   20,  21. 

It  is  a  common  objection  with  the  men  of  this  world  against  the 
ministers  and  members  of  Jesus  :  "  You  can  preach  iuid  talk  of  no- 
thing but  Jesus."  Truly  we  '*  consider  him  as  the  end  of  all  our 
conversation,"  Heb.  xiii.  7,  8.  Conscious  of  what  he  hatli  done/or 
z^s,  what  he  is  ro  ws,  and  what  he  hath  done  m  ws,  verily  Jesus  is 
all  in  all  to  our  souls.  We  know  that  the  Son  of  God  is  come  in  our 
flesh.  We  are  sure  that  by  the  blood  of  his  cross  "  he  hath  made 
an  end  of  sin,  finished  transgression,  made  reconciliation  for  ini- 
quity ;"  and  by  his  holy  life  "  hath  biought  in  an  everlasting  righ- 
teousness," Dan.  ix.  24.  All  this  we  poor  sinners  wanted.  No- 
thing- short  of  this  could  save  us.  Yea,  eternal  life  we  have  in  our 
•wonderful  friend,  the  God-man,  Christ  Jesus.  Blessed  be  his 
infinitely  precious  nam.e  I  he  hath  given  us  an  understanding  heart 
to  know  him.  We  desire  to  be  eternally  indebted  to  his  name,  his 
grace,  his  love  ;  for  we  see  our  union  to  him,  aiid  oneness  with 
him.  Marvel  not  then,  tliat  we  speak  so  highly  of  our  beloved  ; 
(« for  if  we  should  hold  our  peace,  the  very  stones  in  the  street 
would  cry  out  against  us."  Say,  ye  first-born  sons  of  light ;  say, 
ye  children  of  grace,  of  whom  should  we  glory,  if  not  of  Jesus  our 
true  God  and  eternal  life  ?  We  disclaim  all  otlier  gods.  "  We  know 
and  believe  that  the  Father  is  in  him,  and  he  in  the  Father,''  John 
X.  38.  He  teaches  us  the  Father's  love  in  him  to  us  ;  and  he  sends 
the  comforter,  which  proceedeth  from  the  Father,  to  shed  his  love 
abroad  in  our  hearts. 

But  alas  I  how  did  we  live  before  we  knew  Jesus,  the  only  true 
God  I  Truly,  though  we  talked  of  God,  though  we  knew  God,  wor- 
shipped and  feared  him  ;  yet  we  were  all  the  while  like  the  rest  of 
the  whole  world,  "  lying  in  wickedness  :"  fast  asleep  in  the  arms  of 
the  wicked-one  :  for  we  were  without  Christ,  Atheists  :  "  without 
God  in  the  world  ;  and  consequently  had  no  hope,"  Eph.  ii.  12.  How 
deluded  are  the  wise  and  learned  of  this  woi  Id  with  iheir  notions  and 
worship  of  an  unknown  Go.d  !  While  little  children  arc  truly  wise 
and  best  learned,  who  know  Jesus  as  their  Lord  ajid  their  God,  iind 
abide  in  him.  The  truth  of  their  faith,  the  uprightness  of  their 
hearts,  and  the  sinceiity  of  their  love,  are  best  evidenced  by  keeping 
thenjsclves  from  the  ensnaring  vanities  and  bewitching  idols  of  time 
and  sense.  "  Adorning  the  doctrine  of  God  our  Saviour  in  all  things. 
Looking  for  that  blessed  hope,  the  glorious  appearing  of  the  great 
God,  even  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  who  gave  hinistlf  for  us,  £cc." 
Tit  U,  10,  13,  14. 

JffcUiJ  mv  God,  I  know  Ms  name,  Ifgr  vj!!  \w  put  ny  scyil  to  shame, 

ij^5  name  is  all  ji^y  trust,  Kor  let  my  hop.  le  Ipst- 


JULY  23.  217 

O  wretchprl  man  that  Tarn  !  who  shall  deliver  me  from  the 
body  of  this  death? — Rom.  vii.  ii^- 

Spiritual  sense  and  feeling  ire  peculiar  to  regenerate,  heaven 
born  souls.  While  in  a  carnal  state,  '•  dead  in  trespasses  iuid  sujs  ;" 
though  the  law  thunders  out  its  dreadful  curses  against  us,  we  hear 
not.  Though  by  nature  children  of  wrath  and  deserving  hell,  yet 
our  danger  we  see  not.  Though  our  sins  are  gone  over  our  heads, 
and  are  like  a  sore  burden  too  heavy  for  us  to  bear,  yet  we  feel  them 
not.  But  when  the  soul  is  alive  to  God,  wc  groan,  being  burdened 
with  a  body  of  sin,  and  pant  after  deliverance.  '1  his  was  the  expe- 
rience of  holy  Paul.  Such  the  experience  of  saints  in  all  ages.  But, 
thanks  be  to  our  God,  though  ever  so  deeply  distressed  and  greatly 
depressed  with  sin,  we  sorrow  not  as  without  hope.  We  are  not 
ignorant  of  our  deliverer,  but  know  him,  even  Jesus  Christ.  None 
but  Jesus  is  able  ;  and  he  hath,  he  doth,  he  will  deliver.  He  hath 
delivered  from  the  curse  of  sin  by  his  death.  He  doth  deliver  the 
conscience  from  the  guilt  and  dominion  of  sin  through  faith.  He 
will  deliver  the  soul  perfectly  from  the  being  of  sin,  when  the  body 
of  flesh  is  «  sown  in  dishonor,  to  be  raised  in  glory."  The  last  enemy, 
deatli,  is  not  destroyed  yet.  None  are  so  perfectly  exempt  from 
that  which  brought  death  into  the  world,  sin.  But  present  deliver- 
ance thou  hast,  O  believer  !  and  perfect  deliverjince  thou  canst  not 
but  pant  after  and  long  for. 

Think  not,  that  feeling  a  body  of  sini  (which,  like  thy  natural 
body,  consists  of  many  parts  and  members,)  groaning  under  it,  in- 
wardly breathing  out  ardent  desires  for  deliverance,  inscribing 
"  wretched  man"  upon  thyself,  like  a  criminal  who  is  compelled  to 
carry  about  a  dead,  putrified,  stinkiug  carcase  ;  think  not  all  this 
to  be  inconsistent  with  a  blessed  state,  and  being  blessed  "  with  all 
spiritual  blessings  in  Christ  Jesus."  No  :  thou  art  not  singular  :  it 
was  once  the  lot  of  all  thy  brethren  noM'  perfect  in  glory.  It  is  the 
lot  of  all  thy  companions  in  the  faith  and  patience  of  Jesus  on  earth. 
When  Paul,  in  such  spiritual  ecstacy  and  joy,  was  caught  up  to  the 
third  heavens,  he  did  not  know  whether  he  was  in  the  body  or  hot ; 
he  might  then  think  he  was  entirely  freed  from  his  burden,  that  he 
was  perfect ;  but  a  little  time  after,  experience  convinced  him  to  tlie 
con'rary  ;  and  we  find  him  "as  sorowiul,  yet  always  rcjoicuig," 
2  Cor  vi.  10.  Blciiised  be  our  compassionate  Saviour,  who  rciiches 
out  reviving  cordials  of  consolation  and  refreshment :  these  cheer  our 
di-oopiiig  spirits  under  our  huidcn  ;  this  favor  no  kind  iiund  adminis- 
tered to  him,  when  worn  out  and  sinking  under  the  ponderous  load 
of  our  sins  on  the  cross.  O  the  joy  of  faith  1  Sin,  though  felt,  griev- 
ed for,  mourned  over;  yet  "  there  is  no  condemnation  to  them  that 
are  in  Christ  Jesus,"  Rom.  viii.  I. 


218  JULY  24, 

Cast  thy  burden  upon  the  Lord,  atid  he  shall  sustain  thee: 
he  shall  never  suffer  the  righteous  to  be  moved, — Psalm 
Iv.  22. 

The  soul,  having'  lost  its  innocency  by  the  sin  of  the  first 
Adam,  can  never  be  happy  till  it  knows  righteousness  is  restored  to 
it  again  by  Jesus,  the  second  Adam.  Sensible  sinners  would  be 
truly  miserable  when  they  see  their  nakedness  and  feel  their  want 
of  righteousness,  was  not  righteousness  revealed  as  God's  unspeak- 
able gift  by  Jesus  Christ.  By  him  a  glorious  robe  of  righteousness 
is  wrought  out  and  imputed  to  naked  and  destitute  sinners.  Grace 
reigns  through  his  righteousness.  All  the  mercy  and  fuvor  we  I'eceive 
from  God  is  in  a  way  of  righteousness.  We  enjoy  the  knowledge  and 
comfort  that  we  are  righteous  before  God  through  fuith.  If  this 
point  is  not  clear  and  settled  in  the  mind,  it  is  because  tlie  clouds  of 
ignorance  and  unbelief  are  not  chaced  away  ;  the  sun  of  righteous- 
ness hath  not  yet  arose  upon  such  hearts  ;  therefore  they  are  per- 
plexed and  distressed  touching  the  hope  of  salvation.  For  this  is  the 
essential  and  leading  point  in  Christianity.  We  may  toil  all  the  days 
of  our  life  to  get  righteousness,  but  we  shall  go  to  bed  in  tlie  dark 
without  it,  unless  we  are  made  righteous  in  Christ.  Infinite  are  the 
blessings,  most  precious  the  promises  which  abound  in  God's  word 
to  the  righteous.  When  we  read  of  the  righteous  in  scripture,  we 
are  ever  to  remember  Jesus,  ami  give  glory  to  him  who  is  our  righ- 
teousness by  fiiith. 

God  "will  never  sufTerthe  righteous  to  be  moved  l"rom  their  hope." 
There  is  also  a  holy  boldness  and  sweet  famikuity  between  a  righ- 
teous Lord  and  such  righteous  souls.  As  he  has  clothed  them  with 
the  garments  of  salvation,  they  have  always  a  sympathizing  friend 
in  their  hours  of  trouble  to  flee  to.  This  is  the  hope  that  supports 
them  ;  Jesus  will  support  their  weak  souls  and  sustain  their  heavy 
burdens  ;  they  cannot  sink  though  they  may  be  often  ready  to  faint. 
But  why  is  this  ?  Truly  we  arc  apt  to  struggle  with  this  difiiculty 
and  toil  with  the  other  load  upon  our  poor  minds,  instead  of  casting 
all  upon  Jesus  who  careth  for  us.  Sense  opposeth  faith,  hence 
Jesus  is  forgotten,  and  the  mind  remains  troubled.  But  here  is  the 
wisdom  and  glory  of  faith;  whenever  we  feci  our  souls  are  bowed 
down  on  any  account,  to  refer  all  our  griefs  and  cast  or  roll  all  our 
burdcrja  off  from  our  own  minds  upon  Jesus,  and  simply  to  cry  out 
with  Hezekiah,  <'  O  Lord,  I  am  oppressed  ;  ur.dcrt.ike  for  me," 
Isa.  xxxviii.  14. 

But.  T  ■nith  all  my  cures,  Ilis arm  shall  ■«'i'll  sn?.t;iin 

WiM  I'-an  upon  Vrxc  Loi\l ;  The  child i-en  of  his  love  : 

I'll  cast  my  luirih-n*:  oii  liis  arm.  The  grouiul  on  which  their  ssifcty  stands 

Ami  rest  u[fon  his  wovd.  No  earthly  pow'r  eiiii  move. 


'    JULY  25.  219 

T press  toward  the  mark ^  for  the  prize  of  the  high  calling 
ofGodin  Christ  Jesus. — Phil.  iii.  14. 

By  clTcctual  vocation  the  soul  is  called  from  a  death  in  sin  to  a 
life  of  righteousness.  By  spiritual  illumination  the  most  desirable 
objects  are  discerned  ;  the  faith  of  God's  elect  manifests  itself  to  be 
an  operative  grace  in  the  heart  by  the  conduct  of  the  life.  Blessed 
Paul,  though  such  a  zealous  champion  for  sovereign  operations  and 
free-grace  truths,  though  so  averse  to  the  pride  of  free-will  and  the 
confidence  of  human  righteousness  in  his  writing  and  preaching,  yet 
his  life  and  exhortations  are  equally  opposite  to  all  licentious  practices 
and  unchristian  sloth;  he  had  a  race  to  run,  a  prize  to  win,  the  end  of 
his  calling  to  attain.  Thus  it  is  with  all  who  are  partakers  of  like 
precious  faith  ;  folding  the  hands,  sitting  down  contented,  resting 
in  ease  and  indolence,  may  suffice  when  doctrines  are  only  received 
as  notions  in  the  head.  Truth  maybe  assented  to  in  the  judgment 
as  dry  speculations,  so  as  to  engage  the  tongue,  without  warlmng 
and  influencing  the  heart,  and  producing  the  fruits  of  holiness  in  the 
life.  If  sitting  still  and  talking,  or  walking  contrary  to  the  hope  of 
the  gospel,  be  to  imitate  the  apostle's  blessed  conduct,  followers  of 
him  abound  greatly  every  where;  but  the  truth  received  in  the  love 
of  it  excites  to  activity. 

Says  the  christian,  "  I  press  forward,"  iike  a  racer  who  considers 
the  mark  before  him,  turns  his  back  upon  the  place  he  set  out  from, 
and  is  solicitous  so  to  run  that  he  may  obtain  the  prize.  Jesus  is  the 
christian's  mark,  he  presses  towards  him,  he  is  solicitous  to  enjoy 
much  of  Christ  below,  he  longs  for  full  enjoyment  of  him  above  ; 
this  is  our  glorious  high  calling.  What  can  be  put  in  competition 
with  it  ?  the  world,  with  all  its  sinful  (Customs,  vain  pleasures,  and 
carnal  delights  ?  No  ;  we  forsake  these,  and  leave  them  behind  us. 
We  fear  being  entangled  with  the  objects  of  time  and  sense,  prefer- 
ing  Jesus  above  all.  Earthly  things  grow  more  and  more  mean  and 
contemptible  to  us.  The  more  we  see  our  all  in  Jesus,  and  expect 
all  from  him,  so  much  the  more  wc  press  towards  him.  Hence 
means  of  grace  are  prized,  ordinances  attended  to,  Christ's  word  is 
precious,  the  prize  is  glorious.  Thou  man  of  God,  ever  exercise  a 
godly  jealousy  of  being  brought  into  bondage  to  the  world  or  the 
flesh.  Remember  how  unloving,  how  hishonorable  thou  a'ctest 
when  any  object  engages  thy  attention  and  rivals  thy  Saviour.  <'So 
run  tliat  you  may  obtain." 

Hov  vain  are  .ill  things  liere  helow  !  Dear  Saviour  let  tl>y  beauties  be 

How  false  and  yet  how  fair  ?  My  soul's  L-lcrnal  food  ; 

Eadi  pleasure  hatJi  its  poison  too.  And  5;racc  command  my  heart  away 

And  ev'ry  sweet  a  snar*.  Tiytn.  all  created  good. 


220  JULY  26. 

Jf  any  man  love  the  -worlds  the  love  of  the  Father  is  not 
in  him. —  I  John  ii.   15. 

The  voice  of  carnal  reason  cries,  "Cod  hath  created  passions 
within  us,  therefore  gratify  them."  At  this  bar,  inconsistency  is 
pronounced  upon  scripture  ;  but  the  voice  of  inspiration  proclaims, 
"The  lust  of  the  flesh,  the  lust  of  the  eye,  and  tlie  pride  of  life,  are 
not  of  the  Father  ;"  therefore  teaches,  crucify  tliem.  Let  no  dis- 
ciple of  Jesus  think  this  a  hard  saying.  Nay,  but  the  soul  can  find 
no  happiness  but  in  the  love  of  God.  If  other  objects  attract  our  af- 
fections to  seek  happiness  in  them,  as  they  stand  in  competition  with, 
so  they  will  keep  us  from  the  sense  of  the  love  of  God  ;  where  the 
treasure  is,  there  will  the  heart  be.  When  the  love  of  God  lives  in 
the  heart  the  love  of  the  world  dies.  If  the  love  of  the  world  gains 
the  affections  the  love  of  the  Father  subsides.  We  can  no  more  love 
two  such  contrary  objects  with  a  supreme  love  than  we  can  exist  in 
time  and  eternity,  in  heaven  and  on  earth  at  one  and  the  same  time  ; 
one  will  necessarily  give  place  to  the  other  in  experience  and  enjoy- 
ment. The  carnal  gratifications  of  the  flesh,  vam  indulgences  of 
pleasing  the  eye,  with  whatever  promotes  the  pride  of  nature  ;  the 
riches,  pleasures,  honors  of  this  perishing  world,  are  all  contrary  to 
the  love  of  God  in  the  heart,  which  is  the  essence  of  all  true  holiness 
and  real  happiness.  These  things  war  against  the  soul,  Alas  !  a\\fui 
instances  we  see  of  many  professors  beu)g  bewitched  and  ensnared 
by  the  enchanting  allurements  of  the  world  to  forsake  Jesus  and  the 
hope  of  the  gospel.  Melancholy  complaint  of  St.  Paul :  "  Demas 
hath  forsaken  me,  having  loved  this  present  worid,"  2  Tim.  iv.  10. 
Saints  are  delivered  from  this  evil  world  ;  they  are  redeemed  from  a 
vain  conversation  by  Jesus  :  they  are  forbid  by  his  Spirit  to  be  con- 
formed to  the  world.  O,  it  is  a  blessed  thing  to  die  to  the  world 
before  we  die  in  it.  The  men  of  this  world  are  declared  enemies  t© 
God's  children  ;  it  is  our  wisdom  ever  to  be  on  our  guard  agidnst 
them  ;  though  it  is  our  duty  to  behave  with  all  kindness  and  courtesy, 
to  do  them  all  the  good  in  our  power,  yet  let  us  beware  that  tliey  do 
us  no  harm.  "  Can  a  man  take  fire  in  his  bosom,  and  not  be  burnt  ?" 
Prov  vi.  27.  Close  intimacy  with  carnal  friends  expose  to  danger  ; 
alluring  smiles  from  them  often  wound  deep  where  open  opposition 
could  do  no  harm.  What  is  all  the  gain  of  the  world  to  the  huppy 
scns^of  God's  love  ?  He  who  buys  a  fine  suit  of  clothes,  though  ever 
sb  cheap,  infected  with  the  plague,  hath  no  great  bargain. 

The  bi-iRlitest  things  below  the  sky  Our  dearest  joys  nnd  nearest  friends. 

Give  but  a  flatt'i-inf  li^bt  ;  The  partiiei-s  of  our  Wood, 

We  should  suspect  some  danger  nigh,  How  thoy  divjrie  o<ir  «  av'iing  miwls. 

Where  wc  possess  delight.  -    Aud  leave  but  half  .for  God. 


'  JULY  27.  221 

In  the  ivaij  of  thy  pidg-mefits,  0  Lord,  have  we  waited 
for  thee  :  The  desire  of  our  soul  is  to  thy  7ia?ne,  and  to 
the  remembrance  of  thee — Isa.  xxvi.  8. 

Herein  appears  the  wisdom  and  glory  of  our  Lord.  He  huth 
ordained  the  way  wherein  his  people  should  walk,  as  well  as  the 
end  which  they  shall  surely  enjoy,  salvation.  Thus  is  it  manifest, 
by  perseverance  in  grace  and  holiness,  that  any  sinner  is  effectually 
called  to  the  knowledge  of  Jesus  iuid  salvation  by  him. 

Thougli  in  regeneration  the  carnality  and  corruption  of  our  nature 
are  not  destroyed,  yet  by  the  word  and  Spirit  the  soul  is  possessed 
with  a  desire  after  Jesus,  and  the  sweet  remembrance  of  his  name 
is  fixed  in  the  heart ;  he  is  all  their  desire  and  all  their  salvation  ; 
tliey  know  and  feel  themselves  to  be  poor  and  lost ;  they  are  humbled 
in  soul ;  hope  from  every  object  but  Christ  is  cut  off.  But  yet  some 
cannot  speak  of  such  manifestations  of  joy  and  tokens  of  comfort 
which  others  tell  of.  Hence  they  distress  and  disquiet  their  minds, 
are  ready  to  question  whether  they  have  any  true  knowledge  of  love 
to,  and  interest  in  the  Lord.  But  this  is  not  right ;  for  it  is  plain 
and  evident,  where  there  is  a  desjre  of  soul  to  the  name  of  Jesus, 
and  a  remembrance  in  the  heart  of  his  salvation,  as  our  only  hope, 
this  ariseth  from  a  degree  of  knowledge  and  faith  ;  and  love  also  in 
proportion  is  drawn  out  iifter  precious  Christ.  Such  will  be  found 
waiting-  upon  the  Lord,  for  they  see  his  grace. 

There  is  something  in  the  name  of  Jesus  that  is  attracting  ;  that 
in  the  nature  of  his  work  and  salvation  which  suits  their  desperate 
state,  and  which  they  love  to  hear  of  and  wait  for.  The  secret  power 
of  the  Spirit  inclines  the  heart  in  the  wa^'  of  God's  judgments,  m 
the  ordinances  of  his  house,  in  private  duties,  secret  meditiition  and 
reading.  Sec.  Yea,  though  in  distress  and  affliction,  still  they  wait 
upon,  yea  wait  for  the  Lord,  for  more  knowledge,  stronger  faith, 
greater  love.  Therefore  such  who  lightly  esteem,  yea  speak  con- 
temptibly of  such  "  good  desire,"  speak  unadvisedly  with  their  lips  ; 
they  "  make  sad  the  heart  of  the  righteous,  whom  the  Lord  would 
not  have  made  sad."  Jesus  doth  not  despise  "  the  day  of  small 
things,"  he  loves  the  weakest  lamb  in  his  flock,  he  delights  in  the 
smallest  work  of  liis  own  Spirit,  he  doth  not  despise  the  least  desire 
of  the  soul  towards  him,  his  loving  heart  will  not  "  break  the  bruised 
reed,  nor  quench  the  smoking  flax,  till  he  send  forth  judgment  unto 
victory." 

CJod  is  mine   ^ill-sufHcioiit  good,  1 1, less  tliv  grace,  lliat  t'or  my  soul 

Mv  poKlon  and  my  choice  ;  Had  one  desire  to  tliee. 

In  liim  my  vast  desfrcs  are  fiU'd,  No  name  so  sweet  Miiereon  to  hope, 

And  all  my  pnw'rs  rejoice.  As  Jesus  is  to  me. 

Vol.  I.  D  d 


222  JULY  28. 

1  am  with  you,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts :  According  to  the 
word  that  I  covenanted  with  you  when  ye  came  out  of 
Egypt,  so  my  Spirit  remaineth  among  you  :  Fear  ye 
not, — Hag.  ii.  4,  5. 

When  the  Lord  calls  his  people  to  great  work,  or  grievous 
sufferings,  he  animates  them  with  strong  consolations ;  for  as  their 
day  is,  their  strength  shall  be.     This  passage    shines  bright,  as  it 
manifests  the   most  comforting  views  and  clearest  discoveries  of 
covenant-grace  and  love   to  saints  of  old,  engaged  in  a  very  arduous 
work  of  Jehovah.     "  Whatever  things  were  written  aforetime,  were 
written  for  our  learning,  that  we  might  have  hope,"   Rom.  xv.  4. 
Our  hope  is  established  and    strengthened  through  patience  and 
comfort  of  the  scriptures  ;  and  as  they  encourage   our  hope,  they 
also  foibid  our  fears  ;  as  if  salvation  was  precarious  and  uncertain,  as 
though  the  foundation  of  hope  rested  upon  conditions  we  fulfil  to 
secure  it.     Blessed  be  God  faith  hath  a  surer  anchor-hold,  even  the 
word,  the  covenant,  the  oath  of  Jehovah,  Father,  Son,  and  Spirit. 
The  knowledge  of  this,  under  all  the   discouraging  views  of  nature 
and  sense,  lifts  the  believer  above  himself,  and  makes  him  triumph 
in  the  everlasting,  unchangeable  love  and  sovereign  grace  of  the 
glorious  trinity.     So  children  of  God  in  every  age  feed  upon  one 
and  the  same  bread  of  life,  Jesus.     He  is  the  Logos,  the  word)  with 
whom  the  Father  covenanted  for  sinners.  According  to  this,  the  love 
of  the  Father  is  towards  us  even  while  we  are  in  our  natural  state, 
in  Egyptian  bondage  ;  yea  the  love  of  the  Lord  of  hosts  is  the  cause 
of  our  deliverance  from  it,  and  conversion  to  his  blessed  self;  so  also 
his  Spirit  remaineth  with  us.     By  his  sweet  agency  and  power  our 
blind  eyes  are  cnUghtened  to  see  the  glory  and  suitableness  of  Jesus, 
our  deaf  ears  opened  to  hear  the  loving  voice  of  this  dear  chaiTner, 
and  an  understanding  heart  is  given  ys  to  disclaim  all  other  hope, 
and  to  know  and  choose  Jesus,  believe  in  and  love  him  as  our  only 
precious  Saviour.     What  blessed  confidence  is  this  !  We   are  ex- 
horted to  "hold  it  fast."     "  i^fcr  xje  not^"  saith  the  Lord,  «I  am 
ever  with  you."     Fear  and  distrust  are  most  unreasonable  ;  pride 
and  self-gloiying  most  abominable  ;  sin  and  disobedience  most  hate- 
ful ;  love,  humility,  and  gratitude,  most  powerfully  operate  upon  such 
hi^^ily  favored  hearts.     Hence  faith  in  a  covenant  God,  and  his  lov'.ng 
declarations,  ever  excite  the  most  generous  expressions  from  the 
heart.     "  What  shall  I  render  unto  the  Lord   for  all  his  benefits 
towards  me  !  Thou  hast  delivered  my  soul  from  death,  mine  eyes 
from  tears,  and  my  feet  from  falling.     I  will  \,'alk  before  the  Lord 
in  the  land  of  the  living,"  Psalm  cxvi.  8,  9,  12. 


JULY  29.  223 

The  Spirit  itself  beareth  witness  with  our  spirit ,  that  we 
are  the  children  of  Got/.— Rom.  viii.  16. 

These  words  dropt  not  from  the  pen  of  a  suint  in  a  state  of  sin- 
less perfection  ;  nor  is  this  invaluable  privilege,  this  heavenly  bles- 
sing, peculiar  to  the  experience  of  Paul  the  apostle,  but  to  Paul, 
less  than  « the  least  of  all  saints,  and  chief  of  all  sinners,"  as  he 
confesseth  himself  to  be.  It  hath  been  enjoyed  by  poor  sinners, 
through  faith  in  Jesus,  in  all  ages  ;  it  is  the  common  privilege  of  all 
christians.  We  may  Avell  cry  out  in  astonishment  with  Soloman, 
"  But  will  God  in  very  deed  dwell  with  men  on  the  earth  ?  Behold 
heaven,  and  tlie  heaven  of  heavens  cannot  contain  thee,"  2  Chron. 
vi.  IS.  Amazing  condescension!  "  Lord  what  is  man,  sinful,  hell- 
deserving  man,  that  thou  shouldest  thus  visit  him"  wkn  tliy  com- 
forting presence  !  Delightful  to  think  of.  There  is  a  sweet  reiucion 
subsists  between  the  high  and  lofty  one  and  wretched  miseruDic 
sinners.  In  Jesus  they  both  unite.  The  fulness  of  the  godiie.id, 
and  the  misery  and  curse  of  the  manhood  state  of  his  people 
meet  in  him.  From  the  head  Jesus,  the  Spirit  proceeds,  and  like  the 
oil  on  Aaron's  head  descends  to  all  the  members.  To  their  spirits 
he  bears  witness,  agreeable  to  the  word  of  truth,  of  their  covenant- 
relation  as  children,  adopted  sons  of  God  by  faith  in  Jesus  Curist. 
Let  no  believing  soul  be  distressed  or  deluded  by  the  deceiving  of 
others,  so  as  to  expect  a  vision,  manifestation,  or  revelation  that 
may  be  seen,  heard,  or  felt  by  the  outward  senses.  No  ;  the  Spirit 
bears  witness  to  our  spirits,  not  to  our  senses  !  even  as  the  law  bears 
witness  to  the  conscience  that  we  are  sinners,  and  works  wrath 
there  ;  so  the  blessed  Spirit  bears  an  inward  witness  to  the  mind, 
that  we  are  the  righteous  children  of  God,  by  faith  in  Christ  Jesus  ; 
that  "  he  died  for  our  sins  and  rose  again  for  our  justification  ;  that 
in  him  we  are  chosen,  beloved,  accepted,  justified,  pardoned  and 
shall  be  glorified  with  him.  Thus  saith  Jesus,  "  He  shall  glorify 
me,  for  he  shall  receive  of  mine,  and  shall  shew  it  unto  you,"  Joim 
xvi.   14. 

See,  O  believer,  the  riches  of  covenant-grace  !  Admire  and  adore 
the  wonderful  love  of  the  trinity  !  Hast  thou  received  the  wiuiess  of 
the  Spirit  of  Jesus  in  the  word  through  faith  1  Happy,  highly  favored 
art  thou  among  men.  Art  thou  waiting  aild  longing  for  the  promise 
of  the  Fatlicr  ?  the  joyful  testimony  and  assurance  of  the  Spirit  to 
thy  heart  that  thou  art  his  child  ?  It  is  sure  ;  not  because  of  any  good 
thing  naturally  found  in  thee,  but  because  Jesus  intercedes  before 
the  throne.  Therefore  thou  may  est  pray  in  the  assurance  of  faith, 
Jiaving  this  promise  to  all  the  children  of  God  by  faith  in  Christ 
Jesus,  «  Your' heavenly  Father  will  give  his  Holy  Spirit  to  them  thai 
ask  him,"  Luke  xi.  13. 


224  JULY  30. 

And  yet  for  all  that,  when  they  he  in  the  land  of  their  ene- 
7?iies,  I  will  not  cast  them  away,  neither  will  I  abhor 
thefji,  to  destroy  them  utterly^  and  to  break  my  covenant 
with  them:  for  I  am  the  Lord  their  God. — Lev.  xxvi.44. 

Can  any  child  of  God  read  his  Father's  awful  threatenings  in- 
this  chapter,  and  think  light  of  sin  ?  Can  he  count  it  a  small  thing 
to  walk  contrary  to  God's  revealed  mind  and  will  ?  Indeed  one  would 
think  it  impossible  ;  nor  can  we  hardly  believe  any  one  who  has 
known  the  true  grace  of  God  could  read  this  verse  and  ever  dare 
open  his  mouth  and  shoot  his  arrows  of  bitter  words  against  the  doc- 
trines of  everlasting,  electing  love,  sovereign  grace,  and  the  certain 
salvation  of  every  redeemed  soul.  But  alas  !  when  the  mouth  of 
proud  man  is  not  held  in  by  the  bridle  of  humility,  what  awful,  what 
horrid  speeches  will  he  dare  to  utter,  even  against  the  plain  and 
express  declarations  of  Jehovah  himself  !  The  rank  weeds  of  natural 
notions  are  offensive  to  gracious  souls.  Pride,  unbelief,  and  corrupt 
reason,  mutually  strengthen  each  other  in  carnal  hearts,  in  enmity 
and  opposition  to  free-grace  truths.  But  what  is  a  bone  of  contention 
to  such,  is  wholesome  comfortable  food  to  self-emptied  and  humble 
souls,  through  the  faith  of  Jesus. 

To  evf;ry  self-abased  soul,  who  has  no  hope  but  in  the  word  of  the 
Lord,  no  confidence  but  in  the  covenant-love  of  Jesus  our  Mediator, 
tlie  Lord  our  God  speaks  thus  comfortably  ;  "  Though  in  tlie  land,*' 
yea  as  thou  often  fearest,  in  the  hand  and  under  the  power  of  thine 
enerny,  O  hear  and  rejoice  !  thy  Lord  saith,  "  I  will  not  cast  away, 
abhor,  utterly  destroy."  Though  thou  hast  broken  the  covenant,  yet 
God  will  not.  It  is  firm  as  the  mountains  ;  unshaken  as  the  rocks. 
God  will  visit  for  sin,  chastise  for  provocations,  correct  for  backslid- 
ing. All  this  is  covenant-love  ;  but  to  cast  away  his  children  he  will 
not :  to  abhor  them  he  cannot ;  to  destroy  aud  punish  them  in  hell  is 
contrary  to  his  truth,  his  justice,  his  promise,  his  oath,  his  covenant, 
established  in  love,  and  ratified  by  the  blood  of  Jesus,  his  Son,  our 
Saviour.  What  tongue  saith.  Is  it  so  ?  Come  then,  let  us  sin  with 
an  high  hand  I  Poor  soul,  thy  speech  bewrayeth  thee.  The  sound 
iDf  grace  has  only  reached  thine  ear;  but  where  it  is  known  and  felt 
in  the  heart,  it  speaks  otherwise.  God's  free,  loving,  absolute  decla- 
rations attract  to  love  and  obedience.  The  grace  of  God  that  brings 
sah'ktion,  teaches  to  deny  all  ungodliness,  Sec.  Tit.  ii.  11,12. 

The  promise  of  my  Pnther's  love  To  this  dear  cov'naiit  of  thy  word 

Shall  stand  for  ever  good  :  I  set  my  worthless  name  ; 

He  said,  and  gave  his  srrnl  to  death,  J  ie.il  th'  engagement  to  my  Lord, 

And  seal'd  the  grace  with  blood.  And  make  my  humble  clai»n,  . 


JULY  31.  225 

They  shall  put  you  out  of  the  syymgogues. — John  xvi.  2. 

So  it  must  be  in  all  ages.  The  scriptures  cannot  be  broken. 
But  what  are  the  crimes  of  the  ministers  of  Jesus,  to  deserve  such 
usage  ?  Is  it  for  a  life  of  intemperance  and  lewdness,  of  sin  and  folly, 
in  frequenting  pi  ly-houses,  card-tables,  routs,  assemblies,  horse- 
racing  ?  Sec.  No  ;  friends  of  the  Lamb  have  done  witli  all  such  vaia 
paltry  matter.  Their  hearts  feed  upon  infinitely  higher  delights, 
and  their  time  is  too  precious  to  be  devoted  to  sacrifice  upon  the 
altars  of  heathenish  viuiities.  For  these  thhigs  they  might  gain  no 
censure,  but  keep  their  places  in  the  synagogues,  and  their  characters 
-in  the  world  as  good,  honest,  orthodox  preachers,  and  stand  free  from 
the  charge  of  mopish,  dreaming  enthusiasts;  chief  priests  themselves 
being  judges. 

But  they  stand  arraigned  of  crimes  of  the  highest  nature,  even  of 
inverting  the  very  order  of  things;  "turning  the  world  upside  down;*' 
"  preaching  one  Jesus  who  was  hanged  upon  a  tree,''  Acts  x.  39, 
as  the  sinner's  only  hope  and  salvation.  That  hence  glory  is  given  to 
God  in  the  highest ;  peace  on  earth,  and  good-will  to  men  is  pro- 
claimed : — that  the  whole  of  salvation  is  of  God's  free  grace  and 
unmerited  love.  From  this  charge  faitliful  ministers  of  Christ  will 
not  desire  to  be  acquitted.  Love  to  their  precious  master,  to  his 
blessed  truth,  to  his  dear  people,  inspires  them  with  boldness.  It  is 
the  highest  honor,  the  greatest  gloiy  Jesus  puts  upon  them,  when  they 
are  called  to  suffer  for  this.  «'  Yea,  saith  our  Lord,  the  time  cometh 
that  whosoever  killeth  you,  will  think  he  doth  God  service,"  Zeal 
for  God  is  a  pretence  for  persecution.  But  what  is  our  Lord's  rea- 
son ?  "  These  things  will  they  do  unto  you,  because  they  have  not 
known  the  Father  nor  me.'*  But  he  observed  that  on  hearing  these 
things,  sorrow  filled  his  disciples  hearts.  Spmpathizing  Lord  !  he 
instantly  gives  them  a  promise — of  what?  Power  to  call  fire  from 
heaven  to  destroy  their  adversaries  ?  Iso  ;  quite  the  reverse  ;  of  a 
blessed,  inward  comforter,  the  dove.  He  was  to  teach  them  to  act 
with  meekness,  and  in  patience  to  posses  their  souls.  See  the 
Spirit's  influence  in  the  conduct  of  Peter  and  John,  and  their  courage 
and  constancy  in  the  cause  of  their  dear  master — Acts  iv.  Their 
very  enemies,  who  commanded  them  not  to  preach  in  the  name  of 
Jesus,  saw  their  boldness  with  wonder,  and  were  silenced  with  their 
reasoning.  Admire  and  imitate,  O  ye  suffering  servants  of  a  once 
suffering  Lord.  "  How  forcible  arc  right  words  !"  Job  vi.  25. 
How  prevailing  is  a  meek  spirit  !  Peter  and  John  said,  "  Whether  it 
be  right  in  the  sight  of  God  to  hearken  unto  you  more  than  unto  God, 
judge  ye  !"  «  And  the  apostles  departed  from  the  council,  rejoicing 
that  they  were  counted  worthy  to  suffer  shame  for  his  name," 
Acts  V.  41. 


226  AUGUST  1. 

For  what  shall  it  pi'ofit  a  man,  if  he  shall  gain  the  whole 
world  and  lose  his  own  soulf  Or  what  shall  a  man  give 
in  exchange  for  his  ^oz//?— Mark  viii.  36,  37. 

Hast  thou  heard  the  voice  of  thy  beloved  ?  art  thou  a  willing 
disciple  of  a  despised  master  ?  But  docs  the  flesh  shrink  from,  mur- 
mur and  reason  against  taking  up  the  cross  daily,  "  and  suffering  the 
loss  of  all  things  ?"  Listen,  O  soul,  to  the  reasonings  of  ivisdom. 
Though  the  followers  of  the  Lamb  are  counted  fools  and  madmen,  yet 
their  dear  master  here  teaches  them  such  reasoning  and  argument, 
dra\vn  from  the  nature  and  fitness  of  things,  as  will  in  a  dying  hour, 
and  at  the  judgment-day,  silence  the  tongue  of  every  adversary. 
Ever  use  thy  master's  weapon.  Reason  daily,  O  christian,  upon 
thy  spiritual  gain,  by  the  knowledge  of  Jesus.  Study  to  look  with 
contempt  upon  thy  trifling  worldly  loss.  What  is  all  the  wisdom  of 
this  world  but  folly  ?  the  righteousness  of  the  whole  world,  but  filthy 
rags?  the  hopes  of  a  fallen  world,  but  miserable  delusion  ?  the  plea- 
sures of  a  gay  world,  but  vanity  ?  the  riches  of  the  world,  but  deceit- 
fulness  ?  the  honors  of  the  world,  but  an  empty  sound  ?  All  these, 
though  possessed  and  enjoyed,  cannot  profit  the  soul. 

Nay,  rather  like  Job's  friends,  they  often  only  prove  miserable 
comforters,  distress  the  mind,  but  can  never  bi'ing  comfort  to  the 
soul.  Though  often  set  by  the  enemy  before  our  eyes  in  the  most 
conspicuous  view  and  advantageous  light,  as  satan  tempted  our  Lord ; 
yetj  is  there  any  comparison  between  an  eternal  gain  and  a  temporal 
loss?  Vc-rily,  one  moment's  communion  with  Jesus  by  faith,  infi- 
nitely transcends  a  whole  life  of  threescore  years  and  ten,  spent  in 
all  the  glory  and  happiness  this  whole  world  can  yield.  O,  this  one 
word,  *'  thou  fool,  this  hour  thy  soul  is  required  of  thee,"  is  a  death- 
stroke  to  all  worldly  enjoyments. 

What  then  can  be  placed  in  competition  with  an  "exceeding  and 
an  eternal  weight  of  glory  ?"  How  great  is  the  worth  of  the  soul !  it 
is  immortal.  -  How  rich  the  love  of  God  !  it  is  everlasting.  How 
transcendent  the  love  of  Jesus  I  it  passcth  knowledge.  How  amazing 
the  grace  of  the  Holy  Ghost  1  it  proceeds  from.both.  It  is  through 
his  power  any  poor  sinner  is  able  to  say,  "  What  thhigs  were  gain 
to  me,  those  I  count  loss  for  Christ.  Yea,  doubtless  ;  and  I  count 
all  things  but  loss  for  the  excellency  of  the  knowledge  of  Christ  Jesus 
my  Lbrd  ;  for  whom  I  have  sufi'ered  the  loss  of  all  things,  and  count 
tliem  dung,  that  I  may  win  Christ  and  be  found  in  him,"  &c.  Phil. 
iii.  7,  8,  9. 

■\^^1en  T  survey  tlie  wonrrrous  cross  AVorc  tlic  ivhulc  Kealm  of  nature  mine, 

On  which  the  Prince  of  arlorv  (fj  'd,  Tliat  were   a  inxscnt  fnr  too  smalf; 

aiy  rithesf -gain  Tconnf  but  loss,  l,ove  so  aniazinir,  so  divine. 

And  |K)ur  conlcinpton  all  beside.  Di-niands  my  soul,  my  life,  my  aU. 


'  AUGUST  2.  227 

Ood  forbid  that  I  should  glory ^  save  in  the  cross  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  by  whom  the  world  is  crucified  unto 
me,  and  I  unto  the  world — Gal.  vi.  14. 

Satan  is  very  busy  to  hinder  the  christian's  glory  in  Jesus 
•nly.  As  an  adversary  to  the  truth,  he  objects,  by  the  men  of  the 
world,  and  it  is  frequently  suggested  to  tlie  believer's  mind,  "  Jesus 
is  ever  uppermost  in  your  heartland  tongue  ;  you  ascribe  no  glory 
to  God  the  Father,  and  to  the  holy  Spirit."  But  this  is  vain  and 
ignorant ;  for  in  our  crucified  Jesus  we  behold  the  great  love  of  the 
Father.  Our  glorying  in  the  cross  of  Christ  alone,  is  by  the  grace 
and  teaching  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  whose  office  it  is  to  testify  of  Jesus 
only,  and  of  salvation  by  none  other  ;  so  saith  our  Lord,  '"  He  shall 
glorify  me  :  for  he  shall  receive  of  mine,  and  shall  shew  it  unto 
you,"  John  xvi.  14. 

God  forbid  that  any  man  upon  earth,  all  the  devils  in  hell,  all  the 
lusts  in  our  nature,  or  unbelief  of  our  hearts,  should  corrupt  our 
minds  from  the  simplicity  of  Christ,  or  prevent  our  glorying  in  our 
ever  dear,  ever  lovely  Jesus  of  Nazareth  ;  for  he  hung  on  the  ac- 
cursed tree,  with  all  our  guijt,  and  sin,  and  shame  in  his  naked, 
exposed  body.  Was  he  ashamed  to  own  our  vile  characters,  or  love 
our  sinful  persons  ?  No  :  shall  we  be  ashiimed  to  own  and  confess 
his  innocent  person,  his  glorious  name,  his  gracious  words,  his  ac- 
cursed death,  his  perfect  salvation  ?  Surely  then  the  very  stones  in  the 
steet  would  cry  out  against  us.  And  Jesus  says,  "  whosoever  shall 
be  ashanted  of  me  and  of  my  words  in  tliis  adulterous  and  sinful  gene- 
ration, of  him  also  shall  the  Son  of  man  be  ashamed,  when  he  cometh 
in  the  glory  of  his  Father  with  the  ho^y  angels,"  IVIark  viii.  38.  To 
expect  salvation  from  no  other,  and  all  salvation  from  this  man  Jcaun, 
this  fellow,  this  malefactor,  as  the  Jews  accounted  him,  as  suffer- 
ing, dying  on  the  cross,  a  gibbet,  a  gallows  ;  this  is  tlse  very  essence 
of  the  gospel,  the  glory  of  God's  grace,  the  wonder  of  angels,  and 
the  envy  of  devils  ;  this  is  the  only  hope  of  a  poor  humble  sinner, 
and  the  triumph  of  faith. 

Who  can  fully  describe  the  blessedness  of  Jesus-glorifying  souls  ! 
As  they  find  aod  feel  new  life  from  his  cross,  they  experience  a 
crucifixion  and  death  to  all  legal  hopes  and  vain  confidence,  which  a 
self-righteous  world  glory  in.  From  the  cross  of  Jesus  they  view 
the  world  with  all  its  pomps  and  pleasures,  riches  and  honors,  glory 
and  happiness,  as  accursed,  sentenced  and  devoted  to  destruction. 
Therefore,  as  crucified  persons  by  the  faith  of  Jesus,  we  die  daily 
to  the  world.     "  Christ  is  our  life,"  Col.  iii.  4. 

Our  faitli  adores  tliy  bleeding  lovp,  Let  llie  vniii  world  pronounce  it  shame. 

And  trusts  for  life  in  one  that  dy'd  ;  And  fling  their  scandals  on  the  cause ! 

Wc  hope  for  heavenly  crowns  above,  We  come  to  boast  our  Saviour's  name, 

From  a  Redeemer  crucified.  And  make  our  triumphs  lo  his  cress. 


228  AUGUST  3. 

And  I  will  bring  the  third  part  through  the  fire  ^  and  -will 
refine  them  as  silver  is  refined^  and  xvill  try  them  as 
gold  is  tried :  they  shall  call  on  my  nafne,  and  /will  hear 
them  ;  I  will  say  it  is  my  people  ;  and  they  shall  say^ 
the  Lord  is  my  God. — Zech.  xiii.  9. 

O,  GIVE  me  comforts  or  I  die,  saith  the  soul  !  for  surely  was  I 
a  child  of  God,  I  should  not  be  thus  tried,  afflicted,  and  distressed. 
Nay,  saith  the  Saviour,  "  ye  know  not  what  ye  ask."  Dost  thou 
forget  the  exhortation  which  speaketh  unto  you  as  unto  children  ? 
^^  My  son  despise  not  thou  the  chastening  of  the  Lord,  nor  faint  when 
thou  art  rebuked  of  him,"  Heb.  xii.  5.  Did  I  bid  thee  believe  on 
me  ?  Believe  also  nsy  words  :  "  it  is  through  much  tribulation  thou 
must  enter  my  kingdom,"  Acts  xiv.  22.  This  profitable  lesson, 
though  grievous  to  the  flesh,  must  be  learned.  Like  Peter,  we  pray 
to  be  excused  being  washed  by  our  Lord.  But  we  consider  not  his 
love,  nor  our  own  advantage.  "  If  I  wash  thee  not,  thou  hast  no 
part  with  me,"  saith  Jesus.  "  If  ye  are  without  chastisement,  then 
are  ye  bastards  and  not  sons."  "  I  will  bring  thee  through  the  fire  ; 
I  will  refine  thee  ;  I  will  try  thee."  Why  ?  Because  thou  art  n  ot 
reprobate  silver,  nor  counterfeit  metal  ;  therefore  I  will  take  pains 
with  thee.  "  I  will  purge  away  thy  dross  and  thy  sin,  and  purify 
thee  in  the  furnace."  Verily,  thy  graces  shall  shine  brighter,  tliy 
faith  grow  stronger,  thy  love  burn  more  fervent,  and  thy  obedience  be 
more  cheerful.  Therefore  "  I  chasten  whom  I'  love,"  saith  tlie 
Lord. 

■  Nothing  can  reconcile  souls  to  aflSiictive  allotments,  but  looking 
on  them  as  covenant-dispensations.  The  loving  Father's  promise  is 
the  beloved  children's  portion.  "  I  will  never  turn  away  from  them 
to  do  them  good,''  Jcr.  xxxii.  40.  Such  is  the  covenant-love  of  our 
«:ovenant  God.  Here  faith  fixes  its  hold,  and  waits  the  promised  bles- 
sing. Though  saints  desire  to  be  passive,  yet  they  cannot  be  silent ; 
'•  for  they  shall  call  on  rhy  name,"  even  the  name  above  all  other 
names,  Jesus  the  precious  Saviour.  Saith  the  Lord,  "  I  will  not  only 
hear,  but  answer."  «  It  is  I,"  sidth  Jesus  to  the  terrified  disciples, 
"  be  not  afraid."  "  It  is  nay  dear  people  that  call,"  saith  the  Lord. 
As  the  affectionate  mother  knows  the  voice  of  her  own  dear  child, 
she  listens,  she  runs  to  its  relief.  So  the  Lord  speaks  with  affection 
and  love,  '''•  my  fieojilc."  So  souls  reply  in  faith,  with  Thomas,  my 
Lord,  my  God.  C),  happy  to  live,  not  so  jnuch  on  comforts  as  on  "  the- 
God  of  ail  comfort,''  2  Cor.  i.  3. 

BKst  is  the  man  (liy  hui-.ds  chastise.  But  God  will  nc'<  r  forsake  his  saintSj 

And  to  liis  duly  draw  ;  TVor  liis  own  piomise  break ; 

TJiy  scoiirijcs  make  thy  children  ■wise,  He. pardons  his  iidieritance 

Wiien  they  forget  thy  law.  Tor  their  Kadccmer's  sake. 


,AUGUST  4.  229 

And  Hazael  said.  But  xvhat,  is  thy  servant  a  dog,  tliat  he 
'  should  do  this  great  thing? — 2  Kii.gs  viii.  13. 

O,  THE  treachery  of  the  human  hfurt !  bolh  sciipturu  und  expe- 
rience prove  this  inelaucl.oly  truth,  thut  it  is  •*  ckctiilul  above  all 
thiiT^s,  imd  de;->perately  wicked."  Who  can  fatliom  the  dtptlis  of  its 
deceits?  who  caii  uiubrst/nd  the  misery  of  iniquity  whicii  lies  con- 
cealed in  the  nature  of  si.'iful  man  ?  Alus  I  presuiT^ptuous  coi.fidcnce 
that  our  nature  is  not  so  totally  corrupt  and  aboniiin'ble,  too.  lOo  oft 
deceives  and  betrays  even  the  children  of  (iod.  This  wretch  Huzael^ 
who  had  premeditated  rebellion  und  nuirder  in  his  hearty  yet  starts 
at  the  prediction  of  these  crimes  which  as  yet  had  no  real  existence. 
Doubtless  he  thouj^ht  Elisha  judged  very  hurd  of  him  ;  he  could 
almost  stare  the  prophet  out  of  countenance  ;  and,  as  though  he 
charged  him  with  degrading  the  dignity  of  his  human  nature,  he 
demands  whether  he  looked  on  hin\  no  better  than  an  unclean  beast, 
a  fierce  devouring  dog^  that  he  sriould  commit  such  abomhiuble 
wickedness  ?  His  very  nature  even  shuddered  at  the  very  thoughts. 
But  the  history  assures  us  "  lust  ht,d  conceived,  and  it  brought  forth 
sin  ;"  which  ended  in  the  murder  of  his  royal  muster  !  Huzacl  fully- 
verified  all  the  prophet's  prediction. 

Boast  not  of  thyself.  O  christi.ui  ;  say  not,  1  am  a  converted  man,  a 
believer  in  Jesus,  not  an  unclean  wretch  like  this  Hszael ;  therefore 
I  shall  not  fall  into  that  and  the  other  sin.  Be  ret  high-minded,  but 
fear.  Thou  standest  not  by  thine  own  strength,  but  by  faith.  This 
grace  ever  leads  out  of  self  to  its  object,  Christ.  Flatter  not  thyself, 
that  thy  corrupt  nature  i?  in  any-wise  better  than  another;  know  there 
is  no  difference.  Deceive  not  thyself  with  conceits  of  perfection  in 
the  flesh,  or  with  the  deluded  dream,  tliat  the  root  of  sin  is  entirely 
d  estroyed  in  thy  nature  Ever  remember,  "  that  in  the  flesh  dwells 
no  good  thing;"  that  it  is  and  ever  will  be  prone  to  evil  continually. 
Happy  for  thee  tli;it  thou  art  new-born,  new-created  in  tlie  Spirit  of 
thy  mind.  It  is  thy  privilege  to  live  under  the  influence  of  grace  and 
love.  But  still  thy  fallen  nature  is  ever  the  same,  the  old  man  is  still 
alive  ;  there  is  the  tinder  of  corruption,  which  may  take  fire  from 
the  devil's  sparks  of  temptation.  What  thou  art  least  suspecting, 
yejuwhen  thou  art  most  confident  of  standing,  thou  mayest  be  in 
the  greatest  dtuiger  of  failhig.  What  thou  fearest  not  to- day,  to- 
morrow may  overcome  thee.  Tl.ink  not  more  highly  of  thyself 
t  han  thou  oughtest  to  think.  Be  sober  ;  watch  unto  prayer.  "  God 
resistcth  the  proud,  but  giveth  grace  to  the  huirble,"  1  Pet.  v.  5. 

Sin  liatli  a  thousand  treach'rous  arts,  She  pleads  for  all  the  joy  she  brings. 

To  practise  on  tlie  iiind  ;  [hearts,       And  t;ives  a  fai.'  iinteiice  ; 

With  fli'tt'ring  looks  s!ie  tempts  our        But  cluats  tiie  so;iI  of hl•a^'nly  tilings, 
Bi:t  leaves  a  sting  beluud.  And  chains  it  dowu  to  seuse. 

Vol.  I.  E  e 


230  AUGUST  5. 

Let  lis  run  xvith  patience  the  race  set  before  us. — Heb. 

xii.    1. 

A  LIVELY  faith  bec^ets  a  cheerful  heart.  A  joyful  hope  makes  a 
resigned  soul.  An  liumble  mind  produceth  a  patient  spirit.  So  we 
run  with  pleasure  our  short  race,  "  looking  unto  Jesus."  But  alas  I 
shame  to  us,  there  is  a  sin  which  easily  besets  us  and  which  draws  a 
train  of  burdoiis  and  distresses  along  with  it.  Why  are  poor  dis- 
ciples' minds  harrassed  by  frequent  murmurings  and  impatience  ? 
Why  their  tempers  soured  with  evil  passions,  and  they  utter  hasty, 
angry,  unbecoming  speeches?  Verily,  unbelief  is  the  cause  of  all 
this.  Their  minds  are  clouded  ;  they  do  not  see  Jesus  ;  they  do  not 
consider  Jesus  as  seeing  them;  they  do  not  look  to  Jesus  for  patience: 
hence  satan  gets  an  advantage  over  them  :  pride  begets  impatience  of 
spirit.  Then,  with  fretful  Jonah  they  cry  out,  "  I  do  well  to  be  angry." 
Well,  soul,  and  how  do  you  find  your  mind  after  doing  thus  well  ? 
what  is  the  frame  of  your  soul  after  thus  gratifying  the  will  of  the 
flesh,  your  proud  self-will !  what  hast  thou  gained  hereby  but  dejec- 
tion of  spirit  and  sorrow  of  heart  ?  what  hast  thou  lost  ?  Even  the 
comforting  view  of  Jesus,  and  the  sweet  sense  of  peace  :  thus  the 
feet  are  entangled  in  a  snare  ;  and,  instead  of  running  with  patience, 
we  sit  down  in  sorrow.  Tossed  by  stormy  winds,  in  a  tempestuous 
ocean,  the  poor  bark  seems  driven  back  many  degrees  from  the 
haven  of  rest  and  peace.  So  we  suffer  loss  of  patience  by  looking 
from  Jesus  to  other  objects.  W^hilc  our  beloved  is  viewed,  patience 
possesses  the  heart,  the  feet  run  with  delight  the  way  of  God's  com- 
mandments, and  we  look  forward  with  cheerful  hope.  Patience 
sweetens  afflictions  and  improves  exercises  and  trials.  It  keeps  the 
heart  from  envy,  the  hand  from  revenge,  the  tongue  from  evil- 
spenking,  and  overcomes  enemies  without  weapons  ;  for  it  draws  all 
its  strength  from  Christ's  love,  the  sweetness  of  his  presence,  and 
hope  of  his  glory.  A  martyr  tormented  by  infidels,  was  asked  by- 
way of  reproach,  what  miracle  his  Chi-ist  had  done  ?  He  replied,  you 
now  behold  one  :  he  enables  me  to  bear  your  reproaches,  and  suffer 
your  tortures  with  patience.  I  am  not  moved.  -  Is  not  this  a  miracle 
worthy  your  notice  ?  Whatever  befals  our  souls  is  the  wise  allotment 
of  our  loving  Father!  We  are  exhorted  to  "run  with  patience," 
that  we  may  not  lie  down  in  sorrow.  The  sun  of  consolation  shall 
shiri's'^  bright  on  our  souls,  while  "  we  press  forward  towards  the 
mark*  for  the  prize  of  the  high  calling  of  God  m  Christ  Jesus," 
Phil.  iii.  14. 

O  let  loy  llioughts  be  Immble  still,  The  patient  soul,  tlielowlj  mind 
And  .ill  my  caiTJiigc  milj,  Enjoys  a  sweet  reward  ; 

Content,  my  Father,  vith  thy  vill.  Let  saints  in  sorrow  ,be  resign'd, 

AndqiuetasaduW.  -    And  trust  a  faitliful  Loi-d. 


,  AUGUST  6.  231 

Me  that  helieveth  on  the  Son  of  God,   hath  the  witness  in 
himself. — 1  John  v.  10. 

Many  of  the  weak  lambs  of  Jesus,  are  sadly  perplexed  in  llicir 
ininds  about  tlie  nature  of  faith.  Imoui  the  corruption  of  their  hearts, 
the  workings  of  the  enemy,  unscriptural  notions  they  have  been 
taught,  and  opposings  of  unbelief  to  the  weakness  of  their  faith, 
tliey  are  often  ready  to  question,  nay,  sometimes  to  conclude  they 
have  not  the  «  faith  of  God's  elect."  Here  is  a  certain  rule  to  deter- 
mine by :  this,  if  clearly  understood  in  the  light  of  the  Spirit,  will 
satisfy  and  comfort  weak  hearts.  Mind,  the  apostle  doth  not  say, 
lie  that  bclieveth  hath  no  sin,  no  doubts  ;  knows  his  sins  are  for- 
given, and  hath  full  assurance  of  his  own  salvation.  No  :  "  but  he 
hath  the  witness  in  himself."  What  is  this  but  an  inward  testimony 
of  what  is  outwardly  i-evealed  in  the  word  ?  As  the  Spirit  bears  wit- 
ness in  the  word  to  Jesus  the  incarnate  Son  of  God,  the  only  true 
Jind  all-sufficient  Saviour  of  guilty,  perishing  sinners,  so  he,,  who 
thus  believeth  on  the  Son  of  God,  hath  this  divine,  satisfying,  ex- 
perimental testimony  brought  into  his  mind  and  conscience  by  the 
Holy  Ghost.  He  hath  an  evidence  in  himself  which  neither  men  r.or 
devils  can  destroy.  Though  be  finds  and  fetls  himself  a  lost  crea- 
ture, a  helpless  sinner  ;  so  weak  that  he  can  do  nothing  to  save  him- 
self; so  vile  that  his  nature  is  at  enmity  against  Jesus  and  his  Sc^va- 
tion  ;  yet  he  believes  the  Son  of  God  came  to  seek  and  to  save  such — 
that  there  is  all  salvation  in  him  and  in  no  other  such.  Thus  believ- 
ing, he  hath  the  witness  or  testimony  of  the  love  of  the  ever  blessed 
trinity  in  the  salvation  of  sinners  in  his  heart.  The  love  of  the  Fa- 
ther in  the  gift  of  his  Son  ;  the  love  of  Jesus  in  coming  to  save,  and 
the  love  of  the  Spirit  in  testifying  to  this  in  the  word,  and  by  the  faith 
of  it  in  his  heart. 

Happy  would  it  be  for  poor  sinners,  if  instead  of  poring  over  them- 
selves, they  looked  more  steadily  to  the  work  of  Jesus  ;  considered 
more  constantly  the  fulness  of  his  redemption,  the  freentss  of  his 
salvation,  and  regarded  the  outward  witness  to  the  truth  in  the  word. 
Faith  in  this  would  bring  comfort  to  the  heart ;  so  would  their  donbts 
and  fears  vanish  ;  the  fruits  of  fuith  more  evidently  appear  ;  and  their 
minds,  in  Cod's- own  time,  would  be  fully  satisfied  about  their  own 
interest  in  Jesus,  and  the  knowledge  of  forgiveness  of  their  s'ms  by 
the  witness  of  the  Holy  Spirit  through  faith  :  for  faith  in  the  Son  of 
God,  above  all  other  things  hath  the  pre-eminence.  If  the  soul  is 
filled  with  peace  and  joy,  it  is  in  believing  ;  if  with  assurance  of  par- 
don of  sins,  it  is  through  faith  in  Jesus  ;  if  scaled  with  the  Spirit,  it 
is  in  believing.  «  And  this  is  the  victory  that  ovcrcomcth  the  world, 
even  our  fuilh,"   1  John  v.  4. 


232  AUGUST  7. 

/  fear  lest  by  any  mcans^  as  the  serpent  begiiUcd  Eve 
through  his  su'jtilfy,  so  your  jnincls  should  be  corrupted 
from  the  simplicity  that  is  in  Christ. — A  Cor.  xi.  3. 

Ey  -x  {^odly  fear  in  tlie  heart,  the  Lord  keeps  his  people  from 
tola]  y  de^.irtiiig  from  him..  But  there  is  ever  danger  from  satan, 
from  me  ,  yea  and  from  bretliren  too.  of  our  minds  being  corrupted 
and  btguilfd,  so  as  to  suffer  the  Joss  of  that  singleness  of  eye  and 
simplicity  of  heart  towards  our  dear  Saviour,  by  which  the  soul  is 
only  kept  happy.  If  the  Lord's  pri^phet  had  been  more  jealous  over 
himself,  and  more  simple  to  his  master's  voice,  the  fair  speech  of 
his  brcther  had  not  i)etrayed  him  to  disobedience  and  death,  by  the 
mouiii  of  the  lion — See  i  Kings  xiii.  24. 

Couk!  satan  so  bo.guile  Evp  a«  to  nrake  her  an  instrument  of  deatli 
to  herself,  to  the  dear  partner  of  her  life,  and  to  all  their  posterity  ? 
O  disciples,  "  take  ye  heed  every  one  of  his  neighbour,  and  trust  ye 
not  in  any  brother,  for  every  brother  will  utterly  supplant,  and  every 
neighbour  will  walk  with  slanders,"  Jer.  ix.  4.     But  how  comes  all 
this  ?   Alas  !  becaur.e  "  they  are  not  valiant  for  the  truth  upon  the 
earth,"  verse  3.     Satan's  subtilty  hath  robbed  them  of  Christ's  sim- 
plicity.    Tite  abiding,  comforting  presence,  the  sweet  fellowship  of 
Jesus  are  obscured   to  their  mind.     Jesus  is  not  simply  and  con- 
stantly lived  upon.     The  living  actings  of  faith,  the  constant  outgo- 
ings of  the  soul,  the  continual  lookhig  to,  and  daily  hanging  upon 
Jesus  for  salvation  from  liour  to  hour,  is  not  enjoyed  in   the  heart. 
Corrupted  m.u.ds .  grow  clouded.      Hence    they  lose  sight  of  our 
beloved  friend  ;  sweet  simplicity  departs,  and  other  objects  too  oft 
become  the  subjects  of  converse  and  meditation.     This  is  an  infec- 
tious disorder;  it  rages  among  the  chikh-en   of  God;  it  is  easily 
catcherj  ;  simple  faith  in  Jesus  is  bewildered  by  perplexing  notions  ; 
love  to  Jesus  grows  cold  by  keep-ng  at  a  distance  from  him  ;  and 
once  himible,  simple  hearts  get  into  doubting-castle.     Satan  cries, 
''There,  there,  so  woukl   I   have  it."     Though   Jesus  will  never 
forsake  them,  yet  he   suffers  their  own  folly  to  correct  them.     By 
their  stnarting  he  teaches  them  to  be  wi^er.  ■   Chaste  virgins  are 
jealous  over  their  eyes,  thejr  tongues,  and  hearts  lest  they  give 
encouragement  to  unhiwful  love.  Wc  are  equally  to  be  on  our  guard 
against  the  corrupt  principles  of  proud  self-righteous  Pharisees,  as 
against  the  licentious  principles  of  Anlinomians.     Both  draw  from 
the  simplicity  that  is  in  Christ.     The  light  of  the  body  is  the  eye  ; 
«  if  tlicrcforc  thine  eye  be.  single,  thy  whole   body  shall  be  full  of 
light,"  Matt.  vi.  22. 

S.itnn  appears  almost  flivlne,  Fly  from  tVi'-  false  docclver's  tongaie, 

Like  innocence  and  love  ;  Ye  sons  of  A(lam,  fly  ; 

B'^«  tl;c  old  serpcnf  lurks  witliin,  Oni-  parents  Cmiiul  tlie  snare  too  strong, 

Whc^  he  assumes  tlie  dqve.  Kqr  should  the  claldren  try. 


.AUGUST  8.  233 

Sanctify  the  Lord  God  in  your  hearts  :  Be  ready  always 
to  (five  an  ansxver  to  every  man  that  askethyou  a  reason 
of  the  hope  that  is  in  you,  with  meekness  and  fear. — 
1  Pet.  iii.  15.  , 
When  the  Lord  Jesus  is  the  glory  of  the  soul,  it  is  the  soul's 
glory  to  s.inctify  him,  and  him  only.  How  joyful  to  huve  one's 
heart  detached  from  every  other  object  and  hope,  and  its  whole 
delicrlu  to  glorify  our  Saviour  1  How  ravishing  to  dwell  on  the  won- 
ders of  his  love,  the  riches  of  his  grace,  the  gveatness  of  his  suffer- 
ings,  the  fulness  of  his  redemption,  the  perfection  of  his  righteous- 
ness, the  prevalency  of  his  intercession,  and  all  issuing  in  the  eternal 
life  of  such  vile  sintul  wretches  as  we  are  !  Verily,  under  such  views, 
most  cheerfully  does  the  believer  sanctify  the  Lord  Immanuel  in  his 
heart.  Hence,  how  powerful  is  his  soul  animated  witli  holy  bold- 
ness against  the  fear  of  man  !  Yea,  hiflamed  with  love  to  the  truth, 
how  ready  to  give  a  reason  of  his  hope  1  Perhaps,  through  the 
warmlh  of  his  zeal,  and  the  heat  of  his  affections,  he  docs  not  always 
act  wisely  herein  ;  but  does  what  he  is  fordid  by  his  Lord,  "  casts  his 
pearls  before  swine."  Hence  he  finds,  as  they  were  ignorant  of  the 
worth  of  his  jewels,  they  turn  'upon  him  with  wrath.  The  apostle 
seems  to  guard  against  this. 

Christian,  thou  art  to  be  always  ready  to  answer,  and  to  give  a 
reason  of  thy  hope.  But  to  whom  ?  Every  man  that  asks  with  meek- 
ness and  fear  :  meek  to  receive  instruction  ;  fear  of  error ;  and  desires 
to  know  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.  As  the  christian  has  freely 
received,  so  it  is  his  delight  freely  to  give  to  others.  He  hopes  the 
Lord  may  make  him  the  happy  instrument  of  conviction,  conversion, 
and  edification  to  other  souls.  Far  is  it  from  the  nature  of  a  chris- 
tian <'  to  eat  his  morsel  alone."  He  is  to  imitate  the  meekness  of 
the  Iamb  in  his  temper.  The  boldness  of  the  lion  is  to  accompany 
his  concern  for  God's  glory  and  the  cause  of  his  truth.  Meek  in 
speech,  but  not  with  timid  fear  to  answer.  When  God's  truth  is 
the  subject,  the  strongest  confidence  and  the  greatest  courage  arr 
our  glory.  What  is  thy  hope,  O  christian  ?  Is  it  any  other  than 
»'  God^s  mystery,  Christ  in  you,  the  hope  of  glory  ?"  Col.  i.  27. 
Dost  thou  see  such  infinite  charms,  such  inestimable  glory  in  that 
despised  Jesus,  who  was  hanged  upon  a  tree  as  an  accursed  malefac- 
tor ?  that  he  is  the  onhj  hope  of  thy  soul  ?  the  only  glory  of  thy 
heart?  O,  blessed,  higldy  favored  art  thou  1  Is  it  not  thy  joy  to  say, 
«  Come  and  hear,  all  ye  that  fear  God,  and  I  will  declare  what  he 
hath  done  for  my  soul  ?"  Psalm  Ixvi.  16. 

Let  the  vain  world  pronounce  its  sli.-jmc.  With  joy  Tve  tell  the  scofTi.nR  ape, 

Aiid  flinR  their  sc.qntlals  on  Oiir  cause  ;  He  that  «  ns  dead  has  kit  tl;c  toinii  ;■ 

We  Rlory  in  our  S.iviour's  n.ime,  Pic  lives  ah  jvc  IheW-  utmost  vm^k, 

'  And  m.ike  our  triumphs  in  his  cross.  And  we  ai-e  waiUi.g  lili  i»o  come. 


234  AUGUST  9. 

Great  peace  have  they  which  love  thy  law  :  and  nothing 
shall  offend  them. — Psalm  cxix.   165. 

All  inward  peace  and  tranquility  of  mind  are  from  the  know- 
ledge  and  love  of  iha  law  of  the  Lord.  But  hath  not  the  apostle  told 
us,  "the  law  worketh  wrath?"  Rom.  iv.  15.  Have  not  believers 
experienced  a  sense  of  wrath  in  the  conscience,  through  "  the  know- 
ledge of  sin  by  the  law  ?"  Yes,  verily.  But  this  law,  the  moral  law, 
is  subservient  to  the  everlasting  law  of  love,  the  eternal  covenant  of 
grace  and  peace  ;  therefore  in  time  "  it  was  added  because  of  trans- 
gressions, till  the  seed  should  come  to  whom  the  promise  was  made ;" 
even  Jesus,  the  seed  of  the  woman,  in  whom  the  law  of  peace  and 
salvation  centered  ;  of  whom  the  ceremonial  law  was  a  shadow;  and 
by  whose  holy  life,  the  moral  law  received  perfect  obedience  to  all 
its  demands,  and  a  full  satisfoction  for  all  its  curses  and  penalties  by 
his  sin-atoning  sacrifice. 

This  eternal  law,  or  purpose  of  God,  was  manifested  by  promise 
from  Jehovah  himself  ^to  the  sin-convicted  pair  immediately  after 
their  fall ;  and  confirmed  again  both  by  promise  and  oath  to  Abraham 
and  his  seed,  which  is  Christ.     "  This  law  or  covenant  that    was 
confirmed  before  of  God  in  Christ,  the  law  which  was  four  hundred 
and  thirty  years    after,    cannot  disannul,  that  it  should  make  the 
promise  of  none  effect,"    Gal.  iii.   17.     No;  this  law  of  life,  by 
promise,  is  "  sure  to  all  the  seed."     It  is  immutable,  it  is  unchange- 
able, therefore  not  one  of  them  can  perish.     Hence  this  law  of  sal- 
vation is  the  delight  of  believers.     They  have  great  peace  from  it. 
For  with  Paul,  they  know  "the  spirit  of  life  in  Christ  Jesus  hath 
made  us  free  from  the  law  of  sin  and  death,"  Rom,  viii.  2.     Hence 
with  David  they  say,  "  O  how  love  I  thy  law  !  it  is  my  meditation 
all  the  day."     Though  many  things  from  within  and  without  grieve 
and  offend  them,  yet  nothing  from  the  law  of  g-race  and  truth  Avhich 
came  by  Jesus  Christ  shall.     Christ  is  not  "a  stone  of  stmnbling, 
and  a  rock  of  offence  to  them  ;  they  stumble  not  at  the  word  of  his 
grace.'-'     They  are  not  offended  because  it  tcacheth  that  salvation  is 
•all  of  grace,  according  to  election,  through  the  blood  and  righteous- 
ness of  Christ ;  applied  to  their  souls  in  faith  by  the  Holy  Spirit. 
No;  all  this  is  their  consolation  and  joy.     The  commands  of  Jesus  do 
not  ofTend  them,  they  are  all  in  love  :     "  His  commandments  are  not 
grievi^us,"   1   John  v.  3.     Thus,  all   their  joy   and  rejoicing  is  in 
Christ  Jesus  only,  while  they  confidently  and  comfortably  hope  for 
eternal  life,  by  God's  purpose  and  grace,  according  to  the  everlasting; 
law  of  love,  and  his  free  gift  by  Jesus  Christ',  Rom.  vi.  22. 


AUGUST  10.  235 

The  wisdom  that  is  from  above^  is  first  pure  ^  then  peace- 
able^ &:c. — James  iii.   17. 

True  knowledge  centers  in  this  one  point,  namely,  that  Jesus 
is  our  wisdom  ;  even  as  the  sun  is  the  only  source  of  all  light.  From 
hence  light  is  communicutcd  to  the  earth  freely.  As  thut  halh  no 
power  to  influence  the  sun  to  uhed  forth  its  comforting  beams  of  light, 
so  neither  are  we  able  or  willing,  while  in  a  state  of  sin  and  folly,  to 
exert  any  power  to  procure  wisdom.  But  unasked,  unsought,  un- 
merited ;  Jesus,  who  is  emphatically  stilcd  tviadom^  come  down 
from  above,  that  wisdom  might  once  more  be  found  in  our  nature. 
In  him  most  conspicuously  shone  forth  every  perfection  of  purity, 
peace,  gentleness,  See. 

This  is  our  gospel  to  believe,  that  thus  Jesus  hath  "  abounded 
towards  us  in  all  wisdom,"  Eph.  i.  8.  So  also  it  is  the  rich  expe- 
rience of  his  members,  that  "  out  of  his  fulness  we  all  receive." 
Hence  we  are  made  wise  xmto  salvation,  for  we  know,  love,,  and 
approve  of  Jesus,  as  "made  unto  us  wisdom,  righteousness,  sancti- 
fication,  and  redemption."  This  is  our  cliief  glory,  to  glory  in  /i/;n, 
v;ho  is  our  greatest  glory  :  this  our  highest  wisdom,  to  glory  in  him 
who  is  our  wisdom. 

Nature  witli  all  its  powers  is  averse  to  this  ;  but  wisdom  seeks  and 
apprehends  us  ;  causeth  us  to  hear  her  voice,  to  be  in  love  with  her 
beauty  ;  or  we  should  never  have  had  so  much  as  one  desire  after  her. 
They  cry  after  wisdom,  is  wisdom  in  the  heart..  A  desire  after  Jesus, 
is  from  Jesus  being  known  to  the  soul.  Thus  Christ  prevents  us  : 
he  first  Cometh  from  above  to  us,  then.we  soar  from  beneath  towards 
him. 

This  is  the  purity  of  true  wisdom  :, it  hath  no  mixture  with  anv 
thing  from  beneath.  All  the  human  systems  and  carnal  schemes 
which  the  <'  wise  of  this  world"  cidl  religion,  as  well  as  the  impurty 
of  the  flesh,  it  turns  from.  It  brings  purity  of  aflcction  to  Jesus  only, 
like  a  chaste  virgin  who  lias  but 'one  object  of  love  :  it  brings  peace 
to  the  soul  through  the  same  object.  Thus  where  Christ  dwelleth 
in  the  heart  by  faith,  that  soul  dwells  in  wisdom,  and  is  united  to 
purity  and  peace,  &c.  When  the  soul  hath  but  once  lasted  this  wis- 
dom that  cometh.from  above,  there  is  an  insatiable  thirst  after  more; 
that  so  from  this  uncorrupted  fountain  the  pleasing  streams  of  parity, 
peace,  gentleness,  mercy,  and  good  fruits,  may  incessantly  flow. 
"  Thus  wisdom  is  justified  of  all  her  children,"  Matt.  xi.  19. 

Nature  w  itli  open  volume  stands  Here,  on  the  cross  'tis  fairest  drnwii 

To  sprc.'id  lier  Maker's  praise  abroad  :  In  precious  blood  and  crimson  lines. 

And  ev'ry  lal.fwr  of  his  liands  O,  the  sweet  wonders  of  that  cress. 

Shews  sonuthing  wo.lhy  of  a  God.  -where  Cod  the  Saviour  lov'd  and  dy'd ! 

But  in  the  grace  tliat  rescu'd  man  Her  noblest  lite  my  Si)irit  draws 

His  brightest  form  of  gloiy  shines ;  Prom  bis  dear  wouadwii  bleeding  side. 


236  AUGUST  11. 

Now  I  know  thou  fear  est  God,  seeing  thou  hast  not  with' 
held  thy  son,  thine  only  son  from  me. — Gen.  xxii.  12. 

So  spake  Jesus  to  his  friends  of  old.  What !  did  not  God  know 
that  Abraham  feared  him  before  this  ?  Doubtless  he  did.  Butnov/ 
in  the  exercise  of  faith  and  love  he  approved  himself  to  God.  He 
gave  full  evidence  that  God's  commandments  are  not  grievous  :  that 
it  was  his  joy  and  delight  to  obey  his  God.  Lord,  give  what  thou 
commandest,  and  command  what  thou  wilt,  is  the  bieathuig  of  faith 
and  love  !  Thus  was  the  faith  of  Abraham  justified  by  its  fruits. 
Scest  thou  how  his  faith  wrought  by  his  works  ?  And  by  works  he 
gave  full  proof  that  he  possest  the  faith  of  God's  elect.  Thus  he 
obtained  this  glorious  testimony  to  his  own  soul  fiom  the  mouth  of 
the  Lord  :  "  Now  I  know  that  thou  fearest  God  with  a  loving,  filial 
fear.  Thy  faith  worketh  by  love  ;  it  has  influenced  thy  heart  to  this 
eminent  act  of  cheerful,  unreserved  obedience  to  nie."  His  faith 
consulted  not  flesh  and  blood  ;  it  surmounted  carnal  reason.  The 
command  of  the  Lord  was  the  only  rule  of  his  conduct.  He  both 
sacrificed  and  enjoyed  his  Isaac.  Thus  saith  Jesus  to  every  believer, 
"  Ye  are  my  friends,  if  ye  do  whatsoever  I  command  you,"  John  xv. 
14,  The  Spirit  of  God,  by  St.  James,  stiles  him  a  "  vain  man,"  who 
thinks  he  may  have  faith  destitute  of  works,    James  ii.  20. 

It  is  the  wisdom  of  a  christian  to  know  that  his  justification  in  the 
sight  of  Godv  through  the  blood  and  righteousness  of  Jesus,  is  "per- 
fect and  entire,  lacking  nothing.''  This  is  received  by  faith  only. 
But  this  belief  cannot  exist  without  its  object,  Jesus  ;  therefore  it 
cannot  be  alone  in  the  heart  without  love.  Faith  works  by  love,  and 
love  lives  by  faith.  This  inward  principle  manifests  itself  by  obedi- 
ence, as  an  outward  evidence,  'I'hus  the  believer's  works  are  mani- 
fest that  they  are  wrought  in  God,  and  that  the  soul  walks  in  the  light 
of  God's  truth  and  love.  But  alas  !  it  is  an  awful  case  amongst  pro- 
fessors, as  Paul  said  on  another  occasion,  "  Many  are  sick  and  weak 
among  you,  and  many  are  fallen  asleep,''  through  the  intoxicating 
draughts  of  the  love  of  this  world,  and  living  after  the  flesh.  Such 
have  no  inward  testimony  that  they  please  God.  They  possess  not 
joy  and  peace  in  believing.  They  give  no  outward  evidence  that  they 
are  married  to  vhe  Lamb,  and  live  by  faith  on  him.  "  Examine  thy- 
self, O  christian,  whether  thou  art  in  the  faith  ;  prove  thy  own 
self.  ^.Knowcst  thou  not  thine  own  self,  how  that  Jesus  Christ  is  in 
thee,  except  thou  be  a  reprobate,"  2  Cor,  xiii.  5. 

Grace,  like  an  uneorrnpfed  seed.  Not  by  the  terrors  of  a  slave. 
Abides  and  rdgns  within  ;  Do  they  pcifoi  m  his  will ; 

Immortal  principles  foi!)id  But  willi  the  noblest  pow'rs  they  have, 
The  sons  of  God  to  sin.  His  sweet  commands  fulfil. 


AUGUST  12.  237 

Whom  he  justified,  them  he  also  glorified. — Rom.  viii.  30. 

WH\T"poor  scanty  thoughts  do  we  too  oficn  entertain  of  the 
love  and  beneficence  of  our  coveiuvnt  God  !  At  best  our  conceptions 
are  too  contracted  :  we  xire  straitened  in  our  own  bowels,  \\hile  wc 
have  no  cause  to  be  straitened  in  the  super-abounding  grace  of  our 
Lord  :  we  have  little  reason  to  borrow  contracted  tlvoughts  of  God's 
love  from  Egyptian  task-masters.  Our  own  corrupt  n;.ture  too,  too 
often  fui-nishes  with  carnal  pleas  and  unbelieving  suggestions,  which 
weaken  our  faith,  cool  our  love,  damp  our  zeal,  deject  our  spirits, 
and  grieve  our  hearts.  Simple  hearts  sh.ould  have  nothing  to  do  bllt 
with  tlie  plain  simple  truths  of  God.  Hath  the  Lord  said  it  ?  He  will 
also  do  it.  Faith  defies  satan's  power,  and  smiles  at  human  con- 
tradictions. Though  humbled  souls  lie  low  in  self-abasement,  yet 
their  views  are  exalted  to  the  highest  confidence,  by  God's  purposes, 
declarations,  and  promises  in  Christ  Jesus.  So  they  arc  established 
in  the  truth. 

All  the  blessings  of  grace  and  glory  are  sure  to  every  believer  ; 
for  all  such  are  in  Jesus  beloved  justified  and  saved  in  the  sight  of 
God.  So  also  in  themselves,  they  are  discharged  from  guilt,  ab- 
solved from  punishment,  acquitted  from  the  curse  of  the  law.  When 
the  comforter  bririgs  tlie  sweet  knowledge  of  this  to  the  conscience, 
then  how  do  they  triumph  in  Jesus  1  Satan  cannot  see  this  without 
envy.  Then  lie  stirs  up  all  the  powers  of  nature  and  corrupt  reason 
to  stop  their  glorying.  Some  miserable  teachers  are  not  aware 
whom  they  serve,  when  they  talk  of  Jesiis'  righteous,  justified  mem- 
bers l)cing  consigned  over  to  eternal  damnation.  Jusiificalion  by 
faith  is  a  fruit  of  electing  love.  All  such  as  are  chosen  to  salvation, 
they  can  never  perish.  Says  St.  Austlif,  "If  any  of  the  elect  perish, 
God  is  deceived  ;  but  God  is  not  deceived,  therefore  none  of  the 
elect  can  perish  ;  for  the  Lord  knoweth  who  are  his."  In  Jesus  tliey 
have  a  sure  right  and  title  to  glory.  And  the  Lord  the  Spirit  glorifies 
every  justified  soul.  The  church,  the  King's  daughter,  he  makes 
all-glorious  within  now.  So  each  member  hath  a  meetness  for  glory 
above.  The  glory  of  God  lies  near  the  hearts  of  sanctified  souls. 
The  way  of  truth  and  the  paths  of  holiness  are  their  delight.  Sanc- 
tification  of  the  Spirit  in  inseparable  from  belief  of  the  truth.  Both 
spring  from  tlie  ejecting  love  of  God  the  Father,  and  shall  'most 
assuredly  issue  in  certain  salvation  of  every  happy  stil-ject.  This  is 
the  challenge  oi'  Jesus  :  "  Father  I  luill  that  those  whom  thou  hast 
given  me,  be  with  me  whore  I  am,"  John  xvii.  24. 

To  Go  )  f'le  only  v  iso,  Soon  all  the  chosen  seed 

Oar  Sr.io'u-  ancf  our  Kin!»,  .SlciU  meet  around  ilie  throne. 

Let  all  th';  saints  bilow  llie  skies  Slmll  liless  the  comluct  of  his  grace. 

Their  '  -..nble  prais;->s  bring.  And  make  his  ■woiidcrs known. 

V^L.  I.  Ff 


238  AUGUST  13. 

Learn  of  me,  for  I  am  meek  and  lowly  in  heart ;  and  ye 
shall  find  rest  to  your  souls. — Matt.  xi.  29. 

Thus,  with  tender  affection,  speaks  Jesus  our  prophet  to  the 
kmbs  of  his  flock.  He  well  knows  we  stiuid  in  need  of  daily  instruc- 
tion from  him  :  he  teaches  us  in  the  truth  as  we  are  able  to  bear  it ; 
he  knows  the  weakness  of  our  understandings  ;  he  is  "  touched  with 
a  feeling  of  our  infirmities."  Therefore,  lest  our  poor  hearts  should 
at  any  time  conceive  thoughts  of  him  contrary  to  his  nature  and 
office,  he  says,  "  I  am  meek  and  lowly  of  heart."  You  find  that 
you  are  poor  sinners  ;  ignorant  of  many  truths  ;  exercised  with  many 
conflicts,  trials  and  temptations  :  do  not  think  of  me  only  as  the  high 
and  lofty  one  who  inhabiteth  eternity,  but  as  dwelling  also  with  hum- 
ble hearts.  Look  not  on  me  as  an  austere  master,  a  terrible  lawgiver, 
a  severe  judge,  who  watches  over  you  for  evil,  and  is  ever  ready  to 
take  all  advantages  against  you.  No  :  I  am  your  condesccndingj 
meek  and  lowly  Saviour  ;  your  loving  friend  and  kind  instructor ; 
therefore  come  and  listen  to  my  words  :  "  Leani  of  me." 

What  sweet  encouragement  is  this  !  Art  thou,  O  soul,  tossed 
with  temptations  ?  Harrassed  with  corruptions  ?  Beset  with  sinful 
passions  ?  Do  these  bring  disquiet  upon  tby  mind,  distress  to  thy 
conscience,  and  are  a  wearisome  burden  to  thy  spirits,  so  that  thou 
dost  not  enjoy  settled  ease  and  composed  rest  ?  Remember  thy 
Saviour's  lowly  character  and  kind  advice.  He  hath  an  ear  for  thy 
complaints,  a  heart  of  love  to  pity  thee,  a  powerful  arm  to  relieve 
thee.  With  sweet  familiarity  pour  out  thy  heart  to  him  :  as  a  bosom- 
friend  tell  him  of  thy  sorrows,  thy  complaints,  and  fears.  Always 
bear  in  mind  his  kind  invitation  ;  the  loving  meekness  and  lowliness 
of  his  heart,  and  the  blessedness  of  his  promise.  He  hath  spoken  it, 
and  will  he  not  bring  it  to  pass  ?  He  lia%h  sidd  it,  and  will  he  not  fulfil 
it  ?  "  Ye  shall  find  rest  to  your  souls  :"  sweet  tranquility  and  inward 
composure  as  can  be  found  in  no  object  besides  Jesus.  Could  the 
children  of  this  world  persuade  us  there  is  no  evil  in  their  vain  diver- 
sions and  carnal  delights,  still  we  know  we  cannot  expect  our  Lord's 
presence,  nor  shall  we  find  rest  to  our  s6ul&  from  the  bewitching 
scenes  of  the  play-house,  &.c.  No  ;  but  the  more  rest  we  find  to  our 
souls  in  Jesus,  the  more  we  are  delighted  with  him,  and  beccnie  dead 
to  all  things  that  are  contrary  to  spiritual  ])care  and  joy  from  him. 
*'  We  who  have  believed,  do  enter  into  rest,"  Heb.  iv.  3. 

l.it  me  bill  Jiear  my  Saviour  say,  I  gioi\v  in  infu'Jnity, 

Strcnfjtti  shall  be  equal  to  thy  day'.  That  f 'lirisf  s  own  power  may  rest  on  me  , 

Then  I  it  joire  in  dci'p  flistrcss,  "When  I  mn  \\  oak, then  T  am  strong, 

Leaiiii^ ou alKsufiicifcnt  grace.  Grace  is  <y.\  fahitUi  and  Christ  my  iong. 


AUGUST   U.  239 

/  will  bring  the  blind  by  a  luay  that  they  know  Jiot ;  I  will 

lead  them  in  paths  that  they  have  not  known;  I  will 

make  darkness  light  before   them,  and  crooked  things 

straight :    These  things  will  J  do  unto  them,  and  not 

forsake  them. — Isa.  xlii.  16. 

Here  is  a  full  proof  of  the  personality  of  the  divine  Spirit,  the 
third  glorious  person  in  the  adorable  trinity  ;  and  also  the  nature  of 
his  office  in  the  oeconomy  of  the  covenant  of  grace  for  the  salvation 
of  the  elect.  He  ivill  lead  them  into  all  the  paths  of  truth.  Truth 
is  of  the  very  essence  and  perfection  of  Jehovah.  The  Father 
*■'  hath  chosen  us  from  tlie  beginning  to  salvation,  thi'ough  sanctifi- 
cation  of  the  Spirit,  and  beUef  of  the  truth,"  2  Thess.  ii. 'I3.  Jesus 
is  essentially  «  the  way,  the  trufh,  and  the  life,"  John  xiv.  6 — by 
whom  we  are  saved  ;  and  the  Holy  Spirit  performs  his  ofTice  as  our 
guide  to  hwi. 

We  poor  sinners  "  are  all  gone  out  of  the  way  :"  we  are  blind 
and  see  not  the  way,  ignorant  and  know  not  the  way,  proud  and 
have  «  turned  every  one  to  his  own  way  ;"  and  if  left  to  ourselves, 
through  the  darkness  that  is  in  us,  should  seek  death  and  destruc- 
tion  in  the  error  of  our  lives.  But,  adorable  grace  !  the  Spirit  of 
love  prevents  this.  He  will  guide  to  Jesus,  the  way,  and  into  "  all 
the  truth,  as  it  is  in  him."  So  we  enjoy  life  from  him  :  a  life  of  love 
iind  holiness  now,  and  eternal  life  and  glory  hereafter.  O  the  iovh.g 
condescension  of  this  heavenly  guide  I  yet  it  is  natural  for  us  to  resist 
the  Holy  Ghost,  to  grieve  the  loving  Spirit,  and  quench  his  blessed 
motions.  This  is  our  chiefest  grief.  Yet  such  is  his  amazirig  love, 
such  his  sovereign  power,  that,  like,  a  most  affectionate  friend,  a 
benign  comforter,  he  takes  us  by  the  hand,  yea  takes  our  I.earts  into 
his  hand,  and  w/// guide,  counsel,  and  direct  us.  This  he  doth  out- 
wardly by  his  word,  and  inwardly  by  his  secret  but  powerful  mfluences. 
In  tke  light  of  his  word  of  truth,  we  see  how  sinful,  miserable,  and 
wretched  we  are  m  ourselves.  But  why  doth  he  teach  us  this  ?  Be- 
cause we  should  not  trust  in  ourselves  that  we  are  righteous,  and 
deceive  our  souls  into  perdition.  By  the  word  of  his  grace,  he 
teaches  us  the  {knowledge  of  Jesus.  In  him  he  shews  us  the  love  of 
the  Father,  the  supcr-aboundings  of  grace  over  the  aboundings  of  sin. 
He  turns  us  from  the  crooked  paths  of  pride,  sclf-wiil,  and  self- 
righteousness,  into  the  straight  paths  of  grace,  truth,  and  holiness. 
Here,  O  believer,  is  thy  mercy.  "  He  ivill  work  and  none  shall  let 
it."  O,  this  is  the  crowning  mercy  of  all,  "  I  will  not  forsake  them." 
Here  are  four  absolute  declarations,  I  will.  Bow  proud  free-will  tc 
thy  Lord's  -wills.  He  will  certainly  guide  thy  soul  through  all  th< 
mazes  of  a  sinful  world  to  eternal  giory.  "  As  many  as  are  led  hi 
the  Spirit  of  God,  they  arc  the  sons  of  God,"  Rom.  viii.  14. 


240  AUGUST  15. 

Consider  him  that  endured  such  contradiction  of  sintiers 
against  himself,  lest  ye  be  wearied  and  faint  in  your 
minds. — Heb.  xii.  3. 

Come,  fclikfetian,  loo);  up,  look  forward,  and  be  of  good  courage. 
Though  thy  exercises  are  many,  and  tliy  conflicts  great,  though 
weary  m,  yet  grow  not  weary  o/,  the  ways  of  the  Lord.  Verily,  in 
due  time  we  shall  reap  an  harvest  of  eternal  felicity,  after  all  our 
present  toil  and  labor.  JFaint  not ;  continue  to  the  end  ;  persevere 
in  the  work  of  faith,  labour  of  love,  and  patience  of  hope.  The  battle 
is  the  Lord's  ;  thy  foes  are  all  conquered  ;  victory  is  obtained  ;  the 
crown  is  held  forth  by  thy  conquering  Lord.  Press  on.  But  alas  ! 
thou  findest  contradiction  and  opposition  from  every  quarter,  from 
within  and  from  without:  numerous  are  thy  foes  which  rise  up  against 
thee  ;  thy  strength  is  small  ;  thy  power  weak  :  most  true  ;  but  know 
thy  calling  ;  study  thy  privilege  ;  behold  thy  comforter  hoids  forth 
a  reviving  cordial  tlus  day  to  thy  drooping  spirits  :  "  lest  thou  be 
weary  and  faint  in  thy  mind,''  consider  Jesus.  Plere  is  faith's  mystery, 
the  christian's  triumph  :  hence  derive  fresh  life  and  vigor  to  thy 
fainting  mind.  Consider  Jesus  :  in  his  divine  nature,  thy  covenant 
God  :  in  his  human  nature,  thy  redeeming  brother  :  as  God  and  man 
in  one  Christ  Jesus,  thy  salvation  ;  thy  Almighty  Saviour.  Con- 
sider Jesus  in  his  innocent  life,  enduring  contradiction  of  sinners 
against  himself  on  thy  account ;  fulfilling  all  righteousness  for  thee  ; 
that  thou  art  perfectly  righteous  before  God  in  him.  Consider  Jesus, 
t  on  the  cross  bearing  thy  sins  ;  amidst  taunts  and  jeers,  while  making 
atonement  for  thy  transgressions.  Consider  Jesus  entered  into 
heaven,  and  appearing  in  the  presence  of  God /or  us.  Consider  Jesus 
infinite  in  wisdom  to  know  thy  wants  ;  nifinite  in  love  to  sympathize 
with  thee  in  all  thy  sorrow  :  infinite  in  power  to  support  aiid  strength- 
en thee  under  them:  consider  what  infinite  riches  of  grace  he  has 
in  glory  to  supply  all  thy  need.  O,  consider  the  fulness  of  grace  that 
dwells  in  him  for  needy  sinners  ;  live  upon  his  fulness  day  by  day,  so 
as  to  receive  out  of  his  fulness  grace  for  grace.  It  is  said  "  the  blood 
of  martyrs  was  the  seed  of  the  church  ?  Confident  we  are,  the  life  and 
death,  the  blood  and  righteousness  of  Jesus  are  the  life  of  our  graces, 
the  spring  of  our  comforts,  the  support  of  our  weary  minds,  and  the 
only  reviving  cordials  for  our.  fainting  spirits.  Are  we  panting  sin- 
ners Jtthis  footstool  ?  Considering  Jesus  makes  us  joyful  before  his 
throne  now,  soon  we  shall  stand  eternally  happy  in  his  presence. 
Imitate  the  Father  of  the  faithful  ;  be  not  weak  in  faith ;  consider 
not  thy  own  body,  which  is'  «  dead  because  of  sin.  Know  the  Spirit 
is  life,  because  of  the  righteousness  of  Jesus,"  Rom.  viii.  10.    - 


AUGUST  16.  241 

And  they  laughed  him  to  scorn — Matt.  ix.  24. 

WonOkkfui:  iinlci'd  is  our  m.i.sier  in  p.ai(  net-,  mtckness,  love, 
and  goodness,  ujicier  such  iiibult  and  scorn  '•  When  fitrod  saw 
Jesus  ne  was  exceedin^'glad :  he  desired  to  see  hinx  of  a  lonj^  scasoDj 
for  he  hoped  lo  see  some  miracle  done  by  him."  Muscles  may 
satisfy  the  curiosity  ;  tiiey  do  not  of  thtmseives  convert  the  heart  to 
the  truth.  This  is  plain.  Hciod  saw  in  Jesus  a  most  astoriishing 
miracle.  Behold  innocence  itstlf  arraigned  and  accused— tleuih  iii 
its  most  cursed  and  isj;nominious  from  threaiened.  Amazing  to  con- 
sider !  Jesus  stood  mute  j  his  tongue  locked  up  in  silence.  His 
miglity  arm,  wliich  could  iiave  dealt  destruction  at  a  blow,  he  suf- 
fered to  be  bound  ;  himself  set  at  naughts  mocked,  and  iii  derision 
arrayed  in  a  robe  of  mock  royalty — white,  suith  Jieza.  So  Herod, 
though  undesigned,  gives  him  a  token  of  his  innocence  ;  as  Pilate, 
contrary  to  his  judgment  and  intention,  gives  him  a  title,  ''  This  is 
the  King  of  the  Jews."  Though  requested  to  alter  the  words,  he 
was  constrained  to  be  inflexible  ;  replies,  "  What  1  have  written,  I 
will  not  revoke." 

See  your  calling,  brethren  :  it  is  to  confess  and  follow  a  once 
laughed  at,  scorned,  ridiculed  'Jesus  :  never  once  dream  of  being 
excused  pledging  our  Lord  in  the  same  cup.  So  sure  as  thou  dost 
"  witness  a  good  piufession"  of  faith  in  Jesus  and  conformity  to  him, 
thou  also  shalt  not  escape  laughter  and  scorn  from  the  carnal  world, 
nor  of  being  arrayed  by  them  in  the  contemptible  garb  of  a  fool's  cap 
and  a  madman's  coat.  Time  was  when  we  acted  as  they  do.  Think 
of  this,  and  be  humble.  Give  him  the  gloVy  who  taught  us  better. 
But  what  harm  can  this  do  us  1  Harm  ?  it  is  our  greatest  glory  on 
earth.  "  Such  honor  have  all  his  saints."  An  honor  angels  share 
not  in.  Sinners  only  are  called  thus  to  glorify  liieir  master.  True, 
it  is  galling  to  theflesli ;  but  "  they  that  are  Christ's  liavc  crucified 
the  flesh  with  its  affections  and  lusts."  By  the  world's  scorn,  pride 
is  mortified,  while  the  soul  is  joyful ;  and  the  Spirit  of  Chirst  and 
glory  rests  upon  us.  The  world  laughs  us  to  scorn  ;  Jesus  smiles 
and  approves.  Shall  we  be  uneasy  and  grieve  at  it  ?  N-o  ;  our  master 
bids  us  rejoice,  and  be  exceeding  glad.  Thus,  follow  Christ  ana  fear 
not  men. 

In  former  times  it  was  a  proverbial  expression,  to  shew  the  im- 
possibility of  a  thing,  "  You  niity  as  soon  turn  a  christian  fro-.n  Chi  1st 
as  do  it."  Stedfastness  here  is  our  glory.  In  the  things  of  God, 
said  Luther,  I  assume  this  title  cedo  nuUi,  "  I  yield  to  none." 
As  God's  election  is  irrevocable,  so  let  our  coi.fchsion  of  Christ  be  ; 
striving  to  imitate  him  in  love  and  patience.  "  i-'uLon  (as  the  elect 
of  God,  holy  and  beloved)  humbleness  of  mind,  meekness,  long- 
sufi'enng,"  Col.  iii.  12. 


242  AUGUST  17. 

Thou  hast  received  gifts  for  men. — Psalm  Ixviii.   18. 

The  dedication  of  tliis  Psalm,  according  to  Bcza,  is  to  him  tiiat 
excelleth,  even  Jesus,  the  excellent  oiie.  It  contains  a  glorious  dis- 
play of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom.  The  royal  prophet  was  highly  fa- 
vored with  clear  and  comfortable  views  of  the  ample  provision  which 
is  made  for  poor  rebellious  sinners  in  the  settlements  of  the  everlast- 
ing covenants  of  grace  and  love.  Jesus  is  the  rich  treasury  ;  all 
grace  is  laid  up  in  him.  So  it  pleased  the  Father,  so  it  rejoiced  the 
heart  of  all  his  members,  like  Joseph's  brethren,  to  receive  all  gifts 
from  his  hands,  Jesus  is  the  unspeakable  gift  of  God  the  Father  to 
us,  John  iv.  10.  All  his  members  were  given  to  him:  in  him  Je- 
hovah loves  us,  delights  in  us,  and  rejoices  over  us  to  do  us  good. 
Alas  !  too,  too  often  we  are  apt  to  think  vainly,  and  talk  arrogantly  ; 
to  ascribe  what  we  are,  and  what  we  hope  for,  to  something  in  us,  or 
done  by  us.  So  we  lose  sight  of  our  own  poverty,  forget  our  kind 
benefactor,  and  presently  this  fever  of  pride  is  succeeded  by  an  ague 
of  heartless  dejection  :  our  hands  hang  down  and  our  knees  grow 
feeble.  For  ever  blessed  be  God,  salvation  from  first  to  last  is  all  of 
free  gift  by  free  grace,  secured  by  free  promises  in  Christ.  So  it  is 
effectual  to  the  hearts  of  sinners  ;  so  believers  ascribe  all  the  glory 
to  the  ever-blessed  trinity  by  Jesus.  Are  mine  eyes  opened  to  see 
the  exceeding  sinfulness  of  sin  ?  Am  I  sensible  of  my  deserts,  my 
ruined,  helpless  state  as  a  sinner  ?  Do  I  see  the  purity  and  spirituali- 
ty of  God's  righteous  law  ?  Do  I  despair  of  all  hope  and  help  in  my- 
self? Is  Jesus  my  refuge  ?  Do  I  see  the  glory  of  his  righteousness, 
and  perfection  of  his  atonement  Is  the  triumph  of  his  cross,  the 
victory  of  his  death,  the  foundation  of  my  faith,  the  support  of  my 
hope  from  day  to  day  ?  These  are  love-tokens  from  Jesus.  He  sheds 
them  on  us  as  the  free  gifts  of  the  Holy  Spii-it.  So  our  heails  are 
enamoured  with  him,  and  knit  to  him  in  love.  And,  for  our  farther 
consolation  and  joy,  he  still  lives  to  bestow  innumerably  more  and 
infinitely  greater  gifts  than  what  we  have  yet  received  ;  for  if  we 
have  received  the  first  fruits  of  the  Spirit  the  harvest  is  sure  :  every 
enemy  shall  be  conquered,  every  lust  subdued.  Nothing  less  than 
perfect  holiness  and  perfect  happiness  await  us.  Is  sin  atoned  for 
by  the  blood  of  Jesus  ;  and  shall  his  members  live  without  a  sense  of 
pardon  ?  No  :  "  Ask,"  says  our  munificent  benefactor,  ''  and  receive, 
that  your  joy  may  be  full,"  John  xvi.  24.  Jesus  is  glorified  ;  the 
Spirit  is  given  to  bear  witness  of  loye  and  salvation  to  us,  to  comfort 
and  sanctify  us.  This  is  the  joyful  reasoning  of  faith.  "  If  God  be 
for  us,  who  can  be  against  us  ?  Hc^  that  spared  not  his  own  Son,  but 
delivered  him  up  for  us  all,  how  shall  he  not  with  him  also  freely 
give  us' all  things  ?"  Rom.  viii.  31,  32, 


AUGUST  18.  243 

Then  said  I,  JFoeis  me  !  fur  lam  undone:  because  I  am 
a  man  gf  unclean  lips  : — -fo?'  mine  cijcs  have  seen  the 
King^  the  Lord  of  Hosts. — Isa.  vi.  5. 

When  the  calory  of  Jesus  is  manifested  to  the  soul  in  the  light 
of  the  Spirit,  how  doth  it  stain  the  pride  of  all  human  glory  !  The 
prophets  of  the  Old  Testament,  and  the  apostles  of  Jesus  under  the 
New,  were  m.cn  of  like  passions,  sinners  like  unto  ourselves  :  by  na- 
ture there  is  no  difference  :  they  wei-e  all  saved  by  the  same  precious 
Saviour  of  sinners  :  a  sight  of  themselves  in  the  light  of  truth  hum- 
bled them  to  the  dust.  "  O  wretched  mun  tliat  I  um  !"  cries  Paul 
the  apostle.  "  Woe  is  mc  ;  I  am  unclean,  I  am  undone  !"  cries 
Isaiah  the  evangelical  prophet.  '-  God  will  suffer  no  flesh  to  glory  in 
his  presence."  Jesus  the  Saviour  alone  shall  be  exalted  ;  man,  the 
sinner,  though  the  subject  of  grace  and  salvation,  shall  be  laid  low  ; 
every  hope  in  himself  cut  off;  the  exceeding  sinfulness  of  sin,  and 
his  deserts  as  a  sinner  confessed.  Such  are  the  saving  effects  of 
Jesu's  love  ;  such  the  humbling  views  of  his  Spirit.  But  it  is  very 
natural  for  the  sensible  sinner  to  write  bitter  things  against  himself; 
to  pronounce  a  woe  upon  himself,  ar.d  to  cry  out  of  his  own  undone 
state,  and  unclean,  polluted  condition  :  as  when  the  sun  shines  wc 
see  innumerable  motes  and  atoms  which  were  invisible  before.  But  do 
we  think  this  strange,  after  a  soul  has  been  favoured  with  a  spiritual 
sight  of  Jesus,  faith  in  him,  and  hope  from  him,  to  be  sensible  of,  and 
cry  out  of  our  undone  state  ?  We  should  not  thiiA  it  striinge.  We 
shall  carry  this  view  of  ourselves  with  us  all  our  journey  through, 
even  till  we  come  to  the  banks  of  Jordan's  streams. 

Tlie  most  exalted  saint,  while  in  the  body,  is  in  himself,  according 
to  the  flesh,  carnal,  sold  under  sin  ;  burdened  with  a  body  of  sin  and 
death.  B\it  though,  as  thus  considered  in  himself,  he  is  in  a  woeful, 
undone  state,  yet  being  in  Christ  Jesus,  a  member  of  him,  a  believer 
on  him,  a  new  creature  in  him,  there  is  no  woe,  no  wrath,  no  condem- 
nation ;  but  peace,  pardon,  love,  and  stJvation  from  God  the  Father 
to  him.  This  is  manifested  to  our  souls  by  the  ministry  of  the  word 
of  grace  ;  the  Spirit  of  truth,  like  the  seraphim,  by  the-prophet,  takes 
a  live  coal  from  ofl'  the  altar,  the  sacrifice  of  Christ,  and  suith,  '<  Lo  I 
this  hath  touchecf  thy  lips,  thine  iniquity  is  taken  away,  and  thy  sin  is 
purged. •'  Let  this  comfortable  truth  ever  dwell  in  thy  heart,  make 
confession  with  thy  mouth  unto  salvation;  the  blocdy  sacrifice  of 
Jesus  hath  purged  thy  sins.  "  Bo  not  faithless,  but  bi.Ucving," 
Julm  XX.   27. 


244  AUGUST  19. 

A  bruised  reed  shall  he  not  breaks  and  smoking  flax  shall 
he  not  quench^  till  he  send  forth  judgment  unto  victory, 
— Matt.  xii.    20. 

Through  a  sight  of  their  sinful  state,  a  sense  of  strong  corrup- 
tions, weakness  of  faith,  and  small  degree  of  the  knowledge  of  Jesus, 
young  converts,  like  David  just  come  to  the  throne,  are  apt  to  say, 
"  I  am  this  day  weak,  though  anointed  king  ;"  and  to  fear  with  him, 
"  the  sons  of  Zcruiah  be  too  hard  forme,"  2  Sam.  iii.  39.  The  ac- 
cuser of  the  brethren  is  ever  an  adversary  to  Jesus  and  the  truth  ;  he 
is  always  busy  with  souls,  to  stamp  upon  their  minds  the  blackest 
impressions.  He  paints  the  Saviour,  not  as  loving,  gentle,  and  mer- 
ciful to  relieve  distressed  and  comfort  wounded,  afflicted  conscien- 
ces ;  but  as  a  rigid,  austere^  and  cruel  exactor.  When  carnal  rea- 
son joins  in  with  false  accusations,  it  is  sore  distress  and  conflict  to 
the  mind.  But  to  the  law  and  to  the  testimony.  How  readest  thou, 
O  soul  ?  "  It  is  right  thou  shouldest  bear  the  indignation  of  the 
Lord,  because  thou  hast  sinned  against  him,"  Micah  vii.  9.  The  Sa- 
viour sees  it  fit.  By  this  he  teaches  the  exceeding  sinfulness  of  sin, 
that  thou  shouldest  abhor  it,  be  humbled  for  it.  Yea  also,  as  the 
greatest  blessing  above  all,  that  thou  shouldest  look  to  him,  believe  on 
him,  and  love  him.  But  this  thou  never  wilt  do,  while  thou  dost  not 
consider  him  as  a  precious  Saviour  for  the  lost  and  guilty.  True,  in 
tliyself  thou  art  like  a  bruised  reed,  shaken  with  the  wind  of  tempta- 
tion ;  oppressed  with  sin  and  distress  ;  weak  and 'helpless,  ready  to 
fall  into  despair,  and  perish  without  hope.  As  smoking  flax,  tliou 
seemest  to  smoke,  but  not  burn  ;  rather  offensive  to  thyself,  because 
of  the  vapours  of  corruption :  these  blind  thine  eyes,  and  are  a  stench  in 
thy  nostrils  :  and  so  poor  sensible  souls  are  apt  to  think  themselves  to 
be  to  jesus.  But  saw  he  any  amiable  dispositions  in  the  sinner's  char- 
acter to  invite  him  from  heaven  to  earth  ?  Being  come  to  seek  and  to 
save  the  lost,  and  to  be  the  physician  of  sin-sick  souls,  waits  he  for 
their  health  and  soundness  ere  he  rcacheth  forth  his  healing  hand  ? 
Doth  the  friend  of  sinners  l^reak  in  pieces-  with  a  rod  of  iron  the  sin- 
wounded,  heavy  laden  soul  ?  That  be  far  from"  the  lovhig  heart  of 
Jesus  ;  far  lie  that  from  any  poor  sinner's  heart  to  conceive.  Nay, 
but  lie  pleads  thy  cause,  he  will  execute  judgment  for  all  such  over 
ever^adversary.  He  shall  not  break,  he  shall  not  quench,  till  judg- 
ment is  denounced  and  victory  proclaimed.  Satan's  accusations,  un- 
believing suggestions,  shall  be  condemned  and  ciist  out  by  the  word 
of  truth,  and  the  power  oi"  the  Spirit ;  and  the  weakest  believer  "  shall 
overconie  and  obtain  victory  by  the  blood  of  the  Lamb  and  the  v/ord 
of  the  Icstimonv  of  Jesus."  Rev.  xii.   II. 


AUGUST  20.  245 

The  fruit  of  the  Spirit  is  love,  joy,  peaces  long-suffering, 
gentleness,  goodness,  faith,  meekness,  temperance: 
against  suchtliere  is  ?io  laiu. — Gal.  v.  22,  23. 
This  numerous  issue  is  of  super-natural  generation  ;  like  Isaac, 
who  sprang  from  the  dcud  body  of  Abraliam  and  barren  v  omb  of 
Sarah.  Though  believers  love  to  bring  fortii  such  fruits,  delight  to 
see  theiin,  yet  through  humility  they  are  backward  in  speaking  of 
them,  and  averse  to  glory  in  them  as  productions  of  their  own. 
Hence  when  these  fruits  of  the  Spirit  appear  inward  or  outward, 
like  the  bride  of  the  lamb  on  another  occasion,  she  cries  out  in 
lowliness  of  heart,  "Who  hath  begotten  me  these  ?"  Isa.  xlix.  21. 
But  is  any  thing  too  hard  for  God  ?  "  He  maketh  the  barren-  soul  to 
be  a  joyful  mother  of  children,"  Psalm  cxiii.  9.  To  this  very  end 
believers  are  "  married  co  Jesus  by  {^uth,  that  they  may  bring  forth 
fruit  unto  God,"  Rom.  vii.  4.  There  is  no  member  of  the  church 
of  which  Jesus  is  the  husband,  barren.  Some  bring  forth  more  fi-uit 
than  others — some  more  eminent  for  one  kind,  and  some  for  another. 
Every  one  "  according  to  the  measure  of  the  gift  of  Christ,'* 
Eph.  iv.  7.  But  it  is  by  the  same  Spirit  that  dwclleth  in  all :  each 
esteem  other's  fruits  better  thaii  their  own.  The  graces  of  a  true 
christian  shine  .brightest  in  tlie  sight  of  his  brethren.  With  the  plea- 
sant fruits  of  his  Spirit,  which  his  members  bear,  Jesus  our  head  is 
delighted  and  God  our  Father  is  glorified.  Will  not  this  be  the  prayer, 
the  daily  prayer  of  every  believer?  O  that  I  may  bring  forth  more  fruit 
to  God  I  So  let  thy  all-commanding  voice  pronounce  on  me,  "  be  fruit- 
ful and  multiply."  Thus  is  "  the  bride,  the  Lamb's  wife,  all-glorious 
within."  But  yet,  conscious  of  what  she  was,  of  what  she  still  is 
by  opposing  nature,  which  brings  forth  contrary  fruits,  she  wears  a 
conscious  blush,  and  dares  not  glory  in  herself.  She  knows  she  is 
wholly  indebted  for  the  root  of  all  grace,  Jeiut:,  as  well  as  for  the 
fruits  of  the  Spirit,  to  unmerited  grace  and  sovereign  power.  Thus 
holy  Paul  says,  «  I  am  become  a  fool  in  glorying,"  though  compel- 
led to  it.  That  holy,  faithful,  loving,  tender-hearted  martyr  of 
Jesus,  ever  stiled  himself  « the  unbelieving,  unloving,  hard-hearted 
Bradford.'  Yet,  "  against  such  there  is  no  law."  The  law  cannot 
accuse  or  condemn  those  who  believe  in  Jesus  ;  «  for  the  law  of  the 
Spirit  of  life  m  Christ  Jesus,  hath  made  them  free  from  tlie  llw  of 
sin  and  death,"  Rotn.  viii.  2,  Indeed  the  law  may  trouble  and  tcriify 
the  conscience  ;  but  Christ,  apprehended  by  fi.ilh,  vanquisheth  d\  its 
terror  and  threatenings  ;  «  for  Christ  is  the  end  of  the  law  for  light- 
eousness  to  every  one  who  believes,"  Rom,  x.  4.  They  are  as  right- 
eous in  him,  as  if  they  had  fulfilled  the  law  themselves.  «  Ye  shall 
know  them  by  their  fruits,"  Matt.  vii.  16. 
Vol..  I.  G  g 


246  AUGUST  21. 

That  no  flesh  should  glory  in  his  presence:  lie  that  glori- 
eth,  let  him  glory  in  the  Lord.~r-\  Cor.  i.  29,  31. 

Humble,  self-abased  souls,  who  drink  deep  into  self-knowledge, 
sensible  what  human  nature  is ;  whose  eye  of  faith  is  to  the  Lord 
Jesus,  and  to  what  he  is  made  of  God  to  them  ;  are  as  jealous  of 
the  pride  of  the  flesh  as  they  are  of  its  sinfulness.  This  is  a  safe 
state  ;  such  have  little  reason  to  murmur  because  they  do  not  expe- 
rience high  flights  and  ravishing  ecstacies  which  appear  to  arise 
from  nature  and  sense,  because  they  lead  to  glory  in  the  righteous- 
ness of  the  flesh.  Flesh  is  proud  and  prone  to  glory,  even  in  the 
presence  of  God  ;  but  faith  in  Jesus  cuts  off  all  glorying  in  the  flesh, 
as  viewing  all  salvation  out  of  ourselves  in  Jesus.  This  is  the  very 
essence  of  the  faith  of  God's  elect.  Yet,  wlrile  we  are  in  the  flesh, 
we  are  daily  exposed  to  the  workings  of  pride,  which  darken  the 
views  of  Jesus,  and  tend  to  self-exaltating  and  self-glorying.  What 
pains  doth  the  loving  Spirit  take  to  humble  us !  he  testifies  of  Jesus, 
only  ;  he  shews  us,  by  line  upon  line,  and  precept  upon  precept, 
by  prophets  and  apostles,  that  "  in  Jesus  all  his  children  shall  be 
justified,  and  shall  glory,"  Isa.  xlv.  25. 

Am  I  made  wise  unto  salvation  ?  Glory  to  Jesus,  this  is  from  him  ; 
he  is  my  wisdom.  Am  I  righteous  in  the  sight  of  God  ?  Glory  to 
Jesus,  his  life  wrought  it  out ;  it  is  mine  :  not  obtained  by  my 
works,  but  by  God's  free  gift.  Jesus  is  my  righteousness.  Am  I 
sanctified  ?  Glory  to  Jesus  ;  it  is  through  the  faith  of  him,  by  the 
Spirit,  that  I  have  any  drops  from  the  fountain  of  Jesu's  blood  to 
wash  away  my  guilt,  and  to  cleanse  my  soul.  Have  I  faith  in,  and 
Iwpe  of  complete  redemption  from  all  misery,  to  all  happiness  I  Glory 
to  Jesus,  he  is  my  redemption  ;  he  hath  bought  me  ;  he  hath  con- 
quered for  me.  In  whom  then  should  I  glory  but  m  Jesus  alone  ? 
In  him  all  my  wisdom,  righteousness,  sanctification,  and  redemption 
center.  "  It  pleased  the  Father,  that  in  him  all  fulness  should  dwell." 
It  pleases  the  Spirit  to  bear  witness  of,  and  to  glorify  Jesus  onhj. 
Shall  we  glory  in  the  fruits  of  the  Spirit  as  the  foundation  of  hope, 
and  the  cause  of  our  acceptance  with  God  ?  That  were  to_^  deceive 
ourselves.  The  Holy  Spirit  produceth  no  fruits  in  us  to  this  end. 
'I'his  is  contrary  to  his  office  ;  inverts  the  ccconomy  of  the  covenant ; 
makes  faith  void  ;  and  turns  the  eye  of  the  soul  from  the  only  object 
of  h^ope  and  salvation.  Jesus,  to  somewhat  within  us,  instead  of  Christ 
crucified  for  us  :  but  by  the  Spirit  we  glory  in  Christ  alone.  By 
faith  in  precious  promises,  we  pray  to  be  filled  with  "fruits  of 
righteousness,  which  are  by  Jesus  Christ."  To  what  end  ?  Thatwc 
should  glory  in  these  ?  Glory  in  the  flesh  because  of  these  ?  No  j  but 
"  unto  the  glory  and  praise  of  God,"  Phil.  i.  H. 


AUGUST  22.  247 

Gideon  said.  Alas  f  0  Lord  God:  for  Ihaveseen  an  angel 
of  the  Lord  face  to  face.     The  Lord  said,  Peace  be  unto 
thee :  fear  not  ;  thou  shalt  not  c?ie.— Judg.  vi.  22,  23. 
u  Jesus  is  the  same  Lord  over  all,  rich  in  mercy  to  all  who  call 
upon  him,"  Rom.  x.  1 2.     There  is  no  diflcrence  between  Old  1  es  - 
lament  saints  and  New,  in  regard  to  the  object  of  salvation  ;  "  Jesus 
the  same  yesterday,  to-day,  and  for  ever."     Poor  Gideon  thought  a 
,ight  of  the  Lord  must  surely  be  present  death  ;  for  saith  the  Lord, 
u  There  shall  no  m.m  see  me  and  live,"  Exod.  xxxiu.  20.     But  the 
Lord  appeared  to  him,  as  the  angel  of  the  co^^nant,  the  Mediator  the 
internoser.     Not  in  terrible  majesty  and  fiery  wrath  to  stnke  him 
dead,  but  as  the  Saviour,  the  merciful  one.     This  sight  was  attended 
>vith  life  to  his  soul  and  death  to  his  fears.   So  Gideon  iound  it,  when 
he  heard  that  evei-dear  and  most  precious  word,  peace.   1  his  is  ever 
the  word  of  the  bridegroom  to  his  church.     His  birth  is  ushered  m 
^vith  ^^ peace  on  earth."     His  dying  legacy  to  his  children  is  fieacc. 
Noth?ng  but  love  dwells  in  his  heart;  nothing  but  peace  is  heard  horn 
his  lips      This  was  his  affectionate  salutation  to  his  beloved  though 
dejected  disciples,  when  he  first  appeared  to  them  .ifter  his  sufie.  a.gs 
-  a.nd  death.     His  tender  heart  well  knew  how  troubled  their  poor 
nvinds  were:  therefore  over  and  over  he  repeats,  -peace  be  umo 
you,"  John  XX.  21.     As  it  was  in  the  beghu.ing,  so  it  is  now      Je- 
SU3  silences  guilty  fears  and  perplexing  doubts  in  disciples'  hearts. 
Woe  is  me,  saith  the  poor  sinner,  I  am  undone,  I  am  unclean  ;  mine 
eyes  have  seen  the  Lord  of  hosts  in  the  purity  and  spintu.lity  of  his 
law,  as  a  just  God  and  a  holy  ;  a  consuming  fire,  and  who  will  by  no 
me  ns  clear  the  guilty  :  I  shall  die.     Fear  not,  sdth  Jesus  to  every 
Tuch  trembling,  repenting,  believing  l^art ;  thou  shalt  not  die    but 
live  ;  neither  shalt  thou  want  my  peace.     Look  unto  me  and  be  sav- 
cd  :  inwardly  listen  to  my  word ;  treasure  it  up  in  thine  heart      \V  ai 
in  faith  for  the  sweet  and  still  voice  of  my  Spirit :  I  create  the  fruit 
of  the  lips.     "  Peace,  peace  to  him  that  is  alar  off,  and  to  him  that  is 
near,  and  I  will  heal  them."     Such  shall  not  only  hear  Christ  s  voice 
but  feel  his  power.    Their  fears  .\vA\  be  taken  away,  and  their  sorrow 
removed.     So  shall  their  souls  be  joyful  in  him.     Thus  Jesus  is  pre- 
c  ous  to  them.  •  "  He  delivers  them  who  through  fear  of  death,  were 
all  thdr  lifetime  subject  to  bondage,"  Heb.  ii.  1 5.     »  Having  made 
peace  for  us  through  the  blood  of  his  cross,"  Col.  i.  20. 

f  >f  ,T  ♦nr.o-iip    tlic  dory  of  Christ's  name, 

Mygroans.n.Ucars.  .nd  forms  of  v«e,  ^  ^^    ^  be  sU^^^  [!-»>'" 

Areturn'd  to  joy  tuul  i,r«.scs  now  ;  ^  ^^^^^^  ^^^^_^^,  ^,^^^^,^,^  ^.^^,,^,^  ^^^^ 

I  throw  my  snckloth  on  the  gi-ound,  ^J-^^^,,,  he^l'd,  :uiU  sins  forRiVu. 

*  jul  ease  and  gladness  gird  me  round.  Foi  sicKncss  m  .»i «, 


248  AUGUST  23. 

Marvel  not  that  I  said  unto  thee.   Ye  must  be  horn  a^ain 
— John  iii.  7.  ^ 

Spiritual  doctrines  ever  appear  to  the  judgment  of  carnal  rea 
son,  fooushness.     Marvel  not  to  find  the  wisdom  of  natural  men  ever 
crying  out,  "  How  can  these  things  be  >."  and  explaining  away  their 
spiruual  meaning  by  corrupt  reasonings.     We  are  not  to  expect  a 
total  freedom  from  our  own  carnal  objections.     The  old  man  is  vet 
ahve  ;  the  kingdom  of  his  residence,  the  flesh,  is  at  war  agabst  that 
kingdom  mto  which  the  soul  is  spiritually  bom.     Many  souls  see 
clearly  the  nature  of  the  doctrine  of  a  new-birth  of  the  soul,  and  are 
convinced  of  the  necessity  of  it,  in  order  to  see  the  kingdom  of  God 
But  how  are  they  straitened,  pained,  and  perplexed  to  know  whether 
it  be  accomplished  in  them  or  not !     And  indeed,  many  have  so 
unscripturally  treated   of   the   new-birth,  as  sadly   to    puzzle  and 
grievously  distress    simple  hearts.     Is  it  not  marvellous  to  find 
men  gravely  telling  us  how  many  steps  a  dead  sinner  mun  take    in 
order  to  get  into  this  new  birth  ?    The  time  when,  many  are  uncer- 
tain  of;  for  the  kingdom  of  God  com.eth  not  with  observation      The 
manner  how,  none  can  explain  ;  "  for  the  things  of  God  knoweth  no 
man,  but  the  Spirit  of  God."   But  the  effects  are  visible  and  evident.   • 
As  sense  and  motion  are  the  properties  of  natural  life,  so  when  the 
soul  is  born  again  of  the  Spirit,  there  is  a  sight  of  Jesus,  a  hearing  of 
his  voice,  the  affections  of  the  soul  go  out  after  him,  believing  him  to 
be  the  way,  the  truth,  and  the  lif?.     Hence,  St.  John  lays  down  this 
infallible  mark,  «  Whosoever  believeth  that  Jesus  is  Uie  Christ    is 
born  of  God,"  I  John  v.  1.     This  is  a  simple,  plain  truth.     Am  I 
born  of  God  ?    This  must  be  answered  by  inquiring,  do  I  believe  that 
Jesus  IS  the  Christ,  the  anointed  Son  of  God  to  the  office  of  a  Saviour, 
for  lost  and  perishing  sinners  ?    Does  this  truth  enter  huo  n)y  heart 
and  mmd  ?  Is  it  received  and  believed  as  a  matter  which  can  only  and 
alone  bring  relief  to  my  guilty  con  science,, peace  to  my  troubled  mind 
and  hope  to  my  dejected  spirit  ?    If  so,  I  do  believe  in  Jesus— he  is 
the  object  of  my  faith  and  the  hope  of  heart.     I  am  born  again,  born 
of  God,  born  to  see,  to  enter  into,  and  enjoy  the  kingdom  of  God. 
The  evidence  of  this,  the  soul,  gets  more  and  more  strongly  and 
clearly  settled  in  the  conscience  as  faith  grows  and  increases.   For  its 
fruits  will  be  manifest  and  abound  in  seeing  sin's  filthiness,  feeling  its 
burdci^s,  hating  and  resisting  it :  striving  to  maintain  a  holy  fcUow- 
ship  with  God  the  Father,  and  his  Son  Jesus,  through  the  Spirit. 
Who  can  .lesc-ibe  tl.e  joys  that  ri.e  The  Son  with  joj  looks  down  and  sees 

U.o   all  the  courts  of  punstUse,  The  ir.irchase  of  kis  agonies. 

To  sec  .T  prodijral  return,  ti     o   •  •,     .       ,  ,.  . 

T^  '      .  %  ,        ,         ,  I  he  hpiiit  takes  delight  to  view 

1  o  see  an  heir  of  glory  horn  ?  ti     i    i  ,,     ^  . 

-,,.,.       ,  ■'  1  he  holy  soul  he  formed  anew ; 

^\  .th  joy  the  Father  doth  ai>prove  The  saint,  and  aTvjjels join  to  sing 


The  fruit  of  his  eternal  love  ; 


The  growing  cmiiirc  of  their  King;. 


AUGUST  24.  245 

The  flesh  lusteth  against  the  Spirit — Gal.  v.  17. 

Christian  experience  fully  proves  this  apostolic  truth.  Hence 
the  children  of  God  ciyinot  do  the  things  that  they  would  :  nor  have 
we  any  authority  from  God's  word  to  conclude  this  lusting  ever  ceas- 
ed in  any  of  Uie  saints  till  they  got  to  glory;  none  are  delivered 
from  It  while  in  the  flesh.  For,  as  the  renewed  soul  or  spirit  loves 
to  enjoy  spiritual  and  heavenly  objects,  so  the  flesh,  or  unrenewed 
part,  lusts  after  those  objects  it  is  naturally  conversant  with,  and  from 
wluch  it  derives  its  happiness.  Here  is  thy  conflict,  O  christian 
Jfence  tlie  necessity  of  thy  Lord's  command,  «  Watch  always." 
This  is  the  use  of  the  doctrine. 

What  woeful  effects  have  fulfilling  the  lusts  or  desires  of  the  flesh 
produced  in  eminent  saints  I  Thou  standest  by  faith,  be  not  high 
minded,  but  fear.  The  conceptions  of  lust  arc  the  productions  of 
sm,  James  i.  15.  The  commission  of  sin  contracts  fresh  sense  of 
guilt.  This  is  the  malady  and  sickness  of  the  soul.  Hence,  the 
many  symptoms  attendcnt  on  guilt,  legal  fears,  terrors  of  con- 
science, accusations  from  the  law,  triumphs  of  satan,  dejection  of 
soul,  distance  from  God,  backwardness  to  duty,  coohiess  of  aftcction 
to  Jesus,  shyness  at  or  neglect  of  a  throne  of  grace. 

Alas  !  poor  souls,  when  they  have  fallen,  and  arc  sensible  of  tlie 
melancholy  eff-ects,  they  feel  the  hurt  they  have  received.     Verily 
their  hearts  know  the  bitterness  of  it.     Awful  eff-ects  of  fresh  con- 
tracted guilt  •     How  much  to  be  deplored  !    how  carefully  to   be 
watched  against,  and  prayed  to  be  kept  from  •   But  whilst  there  is  "  a 
fountain  opened  for  sin  and  uncleanncss,"  whilst  the  Mediator's 
"  blood  cleanseth  from  all  sin,"  whilst  tlic  glad  tidings  of  the  gospel 
proclaim   salvation  by  grace  for  the  chief  of  sinners,  thcre^'is  no 
ground  for  black  despair  to  any  backsliding  children,  though  they 
have  revolted  from  a  God  of  love.     Here  is  all  encouragement— to 
what  ?     To  love  to  live  at  a  distance  from  Jesus,  raid  lie  down  and 
wallow  in  the  mire  of  sin  because  grace  abounds  ?  No  godly  soul  can 
do  this  ;  for  «  the  Spirit  also  lusteth  against  the  fleshy"  the  Spirit 
renews  again  to  repentance.    Thus  Luther:  'The  more  godly  a  man 
IS,  the  more  doth  he  feel  this  battle  between  the  flesh  and  the  Spirit.' 
Hereof  Cometh  those  lamentable  complaints  in  the  Psiilms  and  other 
scriptures.     It  profiteth  us  very  much  to  see  somcthnes  the  wicked- 
ness of  our  nature  and  corruption  of  the  flesh,  that  by  this  means  we 
may  be  waked  and  stirred  up  to  call  upon  Christ.     So  a  christian  is 
made  to  see  Jesus  a  wonderful  Creator,  v  ho  out  of  heuviaess  can 
make  joy;  of  terror,  comfort;  of  sin,  righltousnr.ss  ;  and  of  death, 
life.     This  is  our  ground  and  anchor-hold,  that  Ciui^i  is  our  «  r.-nl^ 
and  perfect  rishteousness." 


250  AUGUST  25. 

And  Joash  said  unto  all  that  stood  against  him,  JFill  ye 
plead  for  Baal?  Wdlye  save  /z/m  .?— Judg.  vi.  31. 
When  the  Lord  Jesus  appears  and  munifebts  himteit  to  the  soul, 
it  is  so  struck  with  his  glory  and  grace,that  it  cries  out  in  holy  ecMacy, 
«  What  have  I  to  do  any  more  with  idols  ?"  Hos.  xiv.  8— and  ai^  ..Itar 
for  spiritual  worship  is  presently  set  up  in  the  heart,  andconb-  <  aed 
to  Jehovah-Shalom,  the  Lord  of  peace.  In  this  chapter  is  a  i>weet 
view  of  the  zeal  of  Gideon  for  the  true  worship  of  Jehovah.  He 
instantly  obeyed  the  word  of  Jesus,  the  angel  of  the  presence,  the 
man,  the  peace  who  appeared  to  him,  and  at  his  command  he  threw 
doAvn  the  altar  of  Baal.  He  expected  opposition  from  his  Fivther's 
household  and  from  the  men  of  the  city,  therefore  he  did  it  by  night. 
A  blessed  instance  of  the  obedience  of  faith  joined  to  sanctihed  rea- 
son. As  to  the  consequence  after  the  work  done,  he  "conferred  not 
with  flesh  and  blood;"  he  was  "  in  nothing  tcrrihcd  by  his  adversa- 
ries." They  demanded  his  life  ;  but  Joash  his  father  was  raised  up 
like  the  fire  of  zeal  from  the  Lord  to  argue  witli  them.  »  Will  ye, 
ye  men  of  Israel,  ye  professed  people  of  Jehovah,  will  ye  plead  for 
Baal  ?  will  ye  serve  an  idol  ?"  Be  zealous,  O  disciple,  for  thy  Lord ; 
fear  no  consequences.  The  Lord  is  on  thy  side,  what  hast  tliou  to 
fear  from  those  who  are  against  thee  ?  Be  not  discouraged,  though 
thou  dost  find  great  professors;  children  of  the  visible  church,  thy 
mother  ;  yea  the  children  of  thy  Father's  grace  also  jom  in  pleadmg 
byword  or  practice  for  Baal.  This  name  signifies  he  that  rules  or 
subdues;  a  master,  lord,  or  husband.  This  may  most  justly  be 
applied  to  sin  in  general,  and  every  idol  lust  in  particular.  So  saith 
Paul,  «  His  servants  ye  are  to  whom  ye  obey,  whether  of  sm  unto 
death,  or  obedience  unto  righteousness,"  Rom.  vi.  16.  Thou  Irce 
man,  thou  heaven  born  son  of  the  Lord,  know  thy  freedom,  study 
thy  liberty.  Strive  by  the  Spirit's  aid  to  live  up  to  thy  privilege,  (m 
spite  of  all  that  professing  men  or  opposing  devils  plead  against  it) 
above  the  domineering  power  of  lusts,  the  galling  yoke  of  sin  :  tliy 
Saviour  has  all  poTver  in  heaven  and  earth  1  Plead  with  him  ;  expect 
power  from  him;  thou  canst  do  all  things  through  Christ  strength- 
ening  thee.  Faith  surmounts  every  difficulty  ;  it  silences  carnal  rea- 
sqiiings  and  vain  pleadings  from  every  quarter.  While  Jesus  is 
viewed,  sin  is  abhorred  and  holiness  loved,  desired,  and  shall  be  m- 
ereased  in  the  soul. 

Thou  art  my  portion,  O  my  Go,l ;  N"t  all  the  rkhcs  of  the  caitli 

Make  me  to  knou  thy  ^vay  :  Co.ild  make  me  so  rcjoice. 

0  cause  my  heart  t'  obey  thy  vord,  Tlie  testuTiouies  of  (hy  grace  ^ 
And'that  without  delay.  I  set  hefore  mv  eyes  \ 

1  chose  the  path  of  heav'nly  truth,  Thence  I  derive  my  daily  strengith. 

And  glory  in  my  choice  ;  And  there  my  comfort  Ues. 


'   AUGUST  26.  251 

Brethren  ije  have  been  called  unto  liber ty :  only  use  not 
liberty  for  an  occasion  to  the  Jiesh. — Gul.  v.  13. 

Peter  was  grieved  because  his  Lord  asked  him  the  third  time, 
«^  Lovest  thou  me  ?"  Sure  it  ought  to  be  matter  of  conccru  and  grief 
to  the  loving,  generous  hearts  of  disciples,  to  think  they  yet  need 
this  caution  of  the  Spirit.     But,  verily  we  all  do.    The  most  sanctified 
is  yet  in  the  flesh ;  and  tlie  flesh  with  its  aircctions  and  lusts  are  alive: 
they  are  ever  lusting  and  striving  against  the  Spirit.    The  holy,  happy 
soul,  who  is  set  at  liberty  from  sin,  satan,  and  the  law,  in  his  con- 
.science,  is  hereby  liable  to  be  brought  again  under  bondage  to  the 
law  and  thraldom  to  sin.     Know  thy  danger ;  dread  thine  enemy  ; 
yea,  rather  fear  and  love  thy  best  friend  Jesus  ;  cry  to  him,  Loi-d 
keep  me  continually.     «  Thou  hast  delivered  my  once  captive   soul 
from  the  power  of  the  enemy  :  thou  hast  brought  me  out  of  the  hor- 
rible pit,  out  of  the  miry  clay,  and  set  my  feet  upon  a  rock,  and 
esiablished  my  goings,  and  put  a  new  song  in  my  mouth  of  praise  to 
thee  my  Jesus  and  my  God,"  Psalm  xl.  2,  3.     Keep,   O  keep  me 
from  the  deceitful  workings  of  carnal  reasonings  of  my  corrupt,  sin- 
ful self,  the  flesh  !     What  is  this  liberty  we  are  called  into  ?  Not  a 
perfect  freedom  from  the  being  of  sin,  but  a  perfect  deliverai^ce  from 
every  curse  of  the  law,  from  all  the  wrath  of  God  denounced  in  the 
law,  from  the  bondage  of  being  under  the  law,  to  do  any  thing  to 
gain  God's  love,  recommend   us  to  his  favor,  or  entitle   us  to  his 
kingdom.     All  this  liberty  we  are  called  into  by  the  faith  of  Jesus. 
He  istheend  or  fulflUer  of  the  law  for  righteousness  to  us  whobelieve. 
O,  what  a  glorious  liberty  we  are  called  to  !  Even  a  freedom  from  all 
sin  in  the  conscience  ;  so  to  live  upon  J9SUS,  as  to  consider  ourselves 
in  him,  as  perfectly  free  from  all  sin,  entirely  dead  to  it,  and  our 
conscience  so  cleansed  by  his  blood,  as  to  be  ever  easy,  serene    and 
comfortable,  as  though  we  were  innocent  and  never  had  sinned.     O 
this  is  heavenly  liberty  to  new-born  souls  !  This  creates  a  paradise 
upon  earth.     This  is  daily  to  be  prized   and  enjoyed  through  the 
Spirit.     Now,  how  base  and  ungrateful  ever  to  use,  or  rather  abuse 
this  liberty  as  an  occasion  to  the  flesh  !  But  even  the  Lord's  own  free- 
men are  in  danger  of  this  through  the  vilcness  of  their  natures,  the 
deceitfulncss  of  their  hearts,  and  the  subtle  devices  of  satan,  -else 
the  apostle  had  not  thus  addressed  the  brethren.     The  doctrines 
of  grace,  the  love  of  Jesus,  and  living  on  him  by  faith,  lay  the  flesh 
under  bondage  and  restraint.     We  cannot  walk  in  Ihc  liberty  of  the 
Spirit,  and  yet  fulfil  the  lusts  of  the   flesh.     Wc  cannot  serve  God 
and  Mammon.     Thou  free-men  of  the  Lord,  canst  thou  barter  peace 
with  Jesus  for  the  gratification  of  thy  lusts  !  O  rather  «  stand  fast 
in  the  liberty  wherewith  Christ  hath  made  thee  free,"  Gal.  v.  i. 


252  AUGUST  27. 

I  have  seen  his  xvays,  and  will  heal  him  :  I  tvill  lead  him 
also^  and  restore  comforts  unto  him. — Isa.  Ivii.  18. 

What  a  glorious  declaration  of  free  grace  is  this  !  Here  is  an 
absolute  promise  of  mercy ,"not  excited  by  the  worthiness  of  the  crea- 
tvu  c,  but  proceeding  solely  from  the  loving  heart  of  a  covenant  God. 
Well  might  David  say,  "  In  thy  word  do  I  trust :  I  rejoice  at  thy 
\vord,  as  one  that  findeth  groat  spoil,"  Psalm  cxix.^  162.  The  life  of 
the  soul  is  supported  by  the  word  of  the  Lord.  This  is  the  object 
of  faith,  the  encourrger  of  hope,  and  the  exciter  of  love.  Jesus  is 
the  essential  word  by  whom  Jehovah  speaks.  The  scriptures  are  re- 
vealed truths  by  the  Spirit  of  God's  purposes,  promises,  and  grace. 
Behold,  be  astonished  and  humbled,  O  soul,  at  thy  apostacy,  back- 
slidings,  and  rebellion  !  Behold,  admire,  adore,  and  love  the  infinitely 
gracious  procedures  of  the  Father  of  all  mercies. 

Here  is  the  criminal  arraigned  at  the  bar;  iniquity  charged  upon 
him  ;  God's  displeasure  at  it  repeatedly  declared  ;  his  chastening 
hand  smote  him  for  it.  This  reclaims  not.  The  Lord  hides  his  lov- 
ing face — withdraws  the  light  of  his  countenance.  What  is  the 
effect  ?  A  froward  behaviour — still  walking  in  his  own  v/ays,  contra- 
ry to  the  Lord.  Might  one  not  expect  the  next  words  should  thunder 
curses  and  damnation  ?  Be  astonished,  O  heavens  !  What  rcadest 
thouj  O  man  ?  Is  it  I  have  seen  his  ways,  and  will  damn  him  ?  Q,  no. 
But,  though  I  hate  his  ways,  yet  I  love  his  soul.  My  super-abound- 
ing grace  shall  i-eign  and  triumph  over  all  the  aboundings  of  sin.  I 
will  heal  his  soul  ;  I  will  pardon  him.  Thou  poor  doubting  soul,  with 
thy  legal  frames,  go  and  learn  what  that  meaneth,  "  I  will  be  gracious 
to  whom  I  will  be  gracious,  and  I  will  shew  mercy  on  whom  I  will 
shev/ mercy,"  Exod.  xxxiii.  19.  "  I  will  have  mercy  and  not  sa- 
crifice." The  blood  of  my  people  shall  not  be  sacrificed  to  my  ven- 
geance, saith  the  Lord.  Here  is  the  glory  of  grace.  This  the  tri- 
umph  of  faith.  Mercy  proclaimed,  shews  the  munificence  of  God  ; 
but  the  dejected  heart  may  still  be  in  suspense.  Is  it  for  me  ?  Yes, 
if  thou  believcst  on  tlie  Son  of  God.  As  Jesus  is  thy  salvation,  his 
Spirit  assvircs  thee  of  thine  interest  in  his  love.  Where 'the  truth 
is  I'eceived  by  faith,  the  comfort  shall  be  enjoyed.  When  God  par- 
dons in  his  heart,  he  leads  the  pardoned  sinner  to  the  knowledge  and 
cnjfe^'nicnt  of  it,  and  restores  lost  comforts  to  the  backsliding  soul. 
A  sense  of  pardon  is  the  essence  of  gospel-grace  snd  comfort  !  the 
result  of  Jesus' atonement,  the  gift  of  the  gracious  Spirit,  and  the 
privilege  of  believing  souls.  It  is  presumption  to  expect  what  God 
has  not  promised.  It  is  injurious  unbelief  not  to  plead  when  the 
Lord  bids  us  «  ask  and  receive,"  John  xvi.  24. 

O  may  Ihy  pard'ning  ^r'xta  be  nigh,  Thus  shall  our  better  thoughts  approve 

Lest  we  ehould  faint,  despair  snd  die !        The  methods  of  thy  cbast'ning  love. 


AUGUST  28.  253 

Blessed  is  the  man  w/iose  strength  is  in  thee :  in  ivJiose 
heart  are  the  ways  of  tJiem. — Psalm  Ixxxiv.  5. 

When  hearts  are  united  in  love  there  is  a  mutual  complacency 
and  delight  in  each  other.  Presence  increaseth  pleasure,  absence 
bc_i;ets  uneasiness,  jealousy  of  displeasing  and  fear  of  oficudin^  mu- 
tually subsist  in  each  party.  In  some  sense  this  holds  good  betvtcn 
the  beloved  soul  and  the  loving  Lord.  All  love  is  from  him  ;  and 
as  rivers  from  the  sea  return  back  to  the  great  ocean,  so  the  love 
vvliich  comes  from  God  naturally  flows  back  in  complacency  and 
afilection  of  soul  to  liirn.  To  know  God  is  to  love  him  ;  both  for 
what  he  is  in  himself,  and  what  he  is  to  us  in  Christ  Jesus.  The 
poor  sinner  who  knows  that  he  is  in  himself  "  without  strength,"  re- 
joiceth  at  his  very  soul  to  know  that  the  omnipotent  Jesus  is  his 
strength  ;  that  all  his  might  and  power  to  strive  against  sin,  to  resist 
satan,  to  overcome  the  world,  is  from  above  ;  it  is  treasured  up  in 
Jesus,  and  out  of  his  fulness  he  is  strengthened  by  die  power  of  the 
Spirit  through  faith. 

But  is  the  converted  heart  a  mere  vacuum,  like  an  empty  vessel  ? 
No,  truly  ;  Jesus  dwells  there  by  fiuth.  It  is  a  fit  habitation  for  the 
Spirit,  and  tlie  love  of  the  Father  is  shed  abroad  in  it.  "  The  ways 
of  them,"  even  Father,  Son,  and  Spirit  dwell  in  the  heart.  Then 
the  v/ay  of  everlasting  love  and  eternal  election  is  delighted  in  ;  the 
way  of  free  grace  and  complete  salvation  by  Jesus  is  glorified  in  ;  the 
way  of  atonement  by  his  precious  blood,  the  way  of  justification  and 
clothing  of  poor  sinners  by  his  perfect  righteousness  are  wholly  trust- 
ed to  and  rejoiced  in.  The  gifts  and  graces  of  the  Koly  Spirit,  as 
flowing  from  Jesus'  finished  work,  in  making  the  soul  inwardly  holy, 
and  outwardly  obedient  to  the  Lord  ;  in  comforting  and  rejoicing  the 
heart  by  the  testimony  of  Jesus,  are  more  and  more  sought  after ; 
and  the  hopes  and  views  of  glory  in  this  sovereign,  free,  gracious  tvay, 
are  longed  for  and  expected.  Blessed,  O  man,  art  thou  indeed  I 
Blessed  of  thy  God  !  Blessed  with  all  spiritual  blessings  in  Christ 
Jesus  !  Blessed,  not  for  days,  months,  and  years  ;  but  loved  from 
eternity,  and  blessed  to  eternity  !  Thy  Lord  hath  blessed  thee  and  he 
will  not  reverse  it.  Real  godliness  consists  not  merely  in  a  system 
of  notions  in  the  head,  but  in  the  in-dwelling  presence  of  Jcl;ovah  in 
the  heart.  Is  this  thy  happiness,  O  sinners  ?  What  love  huth  the 
great  God  to  vile  man  !  He  dwelt  in  flesh  for  us.  He  saith  also, 
<•  I  will  dwell  in  them,  and  walk  in  them,  2  Cor.  vi.  16. 

How  wcl!  thy  Wcssed  truths  .-xgrce  !  Slioiild  all  the  forms  that  men  devise. 

How  wise  and  holy  thy  eoinmauds  !  Assault  nij  fuitli  with  treacU'rous  art, 

Thy  proini3cs  ho. v "firm  they  be  !  I'd  cdl  thcin  vanity  and  lies, 

How fnm  our  hoi)e  and  comfort  stands  !  And  bind  tlie  gospel  to  ray  he.irt. 

Vol.  I.  Hh 


254  AUGUST  29. 

The  Lord  is  /ni/ shepherd;  Ishcdhiot  wc;/^-Psalm  xxiii.  1. 

All  comfort  is  clerivcd  to  the  soul  from  the  knowledge  of  what 
Jehovuh  is  to  us.  This  we  know  by  the  word  of  truth,  and  enjoy  in 
the  sweet  exercise  of  faith.  "  I  am  the  good  shepherd,"  suith  Jesus 
• — John  X.  11.  Thou  art  7«z/ shepherd,  says  the  believing  soul.  Thus, 
whatever  office  or  character  Jesus  sustains,  it  is  the  glory  of  fiiith 
not  only  to  view  the  Lord  as  such,  but  to  draw  sweet  peace  and  com- 
fort from  it  to  one's  own  heart :  that  thou  art  ?ne.  David  knew  the 
duty  of  a  shepherd  by  experience.  How  watchful  to  preserve  from 
danger,  and  how  careful  to  guide  and  feed  the  sheep  committed  to  his 
trust !  But  herein  is  the  peculiar  love  of  the  sheplierd  of  our  souls  ; 
he  "  gave  his  life  for  his  sheep."  And  after  such  love  munifcslcd  to 
them,  shall  tb.ey  want  either  his  power  to  protect,  or  his  grace  to 
iiupply  their  need  ?  No  ;  that  is  impossible. 

But  a  sheep  is  a  silly  weak  creature  ;  it  often  bleats  aiid  makes  a 
noise  when  it  wants  nothing  ;  so  do  we.  Though  it  knows  its  shep- 
herd, and  hears  his  voice,  still  it  is  naturally  prone  to  wander  from 
rich  and  green  pastures,  to  break  out  of  the  fold,  and,  if  left  to  itself, 
would  leap  into  the  very  jaws  of  its  enemy  :  so  foolish  are  v/e  also. 
Hence  arises  our  distress  ;  for  when  we  look  to  what  we  are  in  our- 
selves, and  lose  sight  of  the  love  and  care  of  our  dear  shepherd,  we 
cast  our  eyes  around  us,  and  call  in  this  distressing  though  tand  the 
other  distracting  care.  Hence  we  often  send  forth  the  bleatings  of 
unbelief,  and  cry  out,  "  We  shall  certainly  perish  for  want  of  supply 
and  a-ssistance."  But  where  is  the  Lord  our  shepherd  ?  Alas  !  we 
forget  his  dying  love,  his  covenant  engagements,  his  watchful  care  ; 
we  listen  not  enough  to  the  sweet  voice  of  our  shepherd,  but  to  the 
enemy,  who  speaks  terror ;  and  our  poor  hearts  are  affrighted  and 
tremble.  But  in  opposition  to  all  that  sin>  satan,  and  the  law  can  say 
or  do  against  us,  "  The  voice  of  the  Lord  is  a  mighty  voice  :  the  voice 
of  the  Lord  hath  the  pre-eminence."  And  Jesus  our  shepherd  saith, 
«  I  give  uiTto  my  sheep — what  ?  Grace,  upon  condition  that  ihey  will 
continue  to  be  my  sheep,  hear  my  voice,  and  follow  me  ?"  Infinitely 
more  :  security  stronger  than  the  mountains  ;  comfort  more  un- 
fathomable than  the  great  deep.  "  I  know  my  sheep  ;"  my  Father 
gave  them  unto  me  :_  I  lay  down  my  life  for  them.  Shall  the  enemy 
voi)  me  of  one  of  my  purchased  ones,  or  my  dear  Father  of  one  of  the 
(;bj'^ct3  of  his  love  ?  No  :  they  shall  never  want  my  Spirit  to  keep, 
to  quicken,  to  comfort,  and  enable  them  to  persevere  till  they  receive 
the  end  of  their  faith,  the  salvation  of  their  souls.  "  I  give  unto  them 
tterr.al  life  ;  and  they  shall  ^zfy/r-pcrish,  neither  shall  any  pluck 
tlicm  out  of  my  hand,"  John  x.  2S. 


AUGUST  30.  255 

Blessed  are  the  poor  in  spirit ;  for  theirs  is  the  kingdom 
of  heaven. — Matt.  v.  3. 

In  the  clay  of  the  Spirit's  power  "  the  lofty  looks  of  niiin  arc, 
humbled,  the  haughtiness  of  man  is  bowed  down,  and  Uie  Lord 
alone  is  exalted  hi  thut  day,"  Isa.  ii.  11.  Then  a  man's  own  right-  * 
eousncss,  wherein  he  trusted,  is  seen  as  filthy  rags.  His  strcngtJi 
he  boasted  of,  is  found  to  be  perfect  weakness  ;  his  heart,  in  which 
he  gloried  as  good,  is  found  to  be  deceitful  and  desperately  wicked. 
Then  he  becomes  in  his  own  eyes  a  poor  sinner.  He  knows  his 
poverty;  he  feels  his  wretchedness.  Thus,  when  Jesus  alone  is 
exalted  in  his  sight,  he  becomes  little,  vile,  and  mejin  in  his  own 
eyes  ;  then  he  is  poor  in  spirit,  a  mere  beggar^  who  must  be  wholly 
indebted  to  free-grace  bounty  and  free-gift  mercy.  1  hough  he  sees 
his  state  to  be  guilty,  wretched,  and  desperate,y  et  he  is  blessed:  Why 
so  ?  Merely  because  he  sees  and  knows  himself  to  be  wretched,  poor, 
miserable,  blind,  and  naked  ?  Alas  !  tiiis  knowledge,  like  Job's 
friends,  would  prove  but  a  miserable  comforter  to  his  soul.  He  can 
no  more  trust  in  his  known  poverty  and  rags  to  entitle  him  to  the 
kingdom,  than  in  his  fancied  robes  and  riches.  But  such  are  blessed 
or  happy,  liecaitse  the  grace  of  t4ie  kingdom  is  in  their  hearts  noiv^ 
"  and  theirs  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven  in  glory."  Most  joyful  con- 
sideration 1  They  are  chosen  to  it  by  the  love  of  the  father  ;  they  are 
blessed  in  Christ  Jesus  with  all  spiritual  blessings;  and  as  an  evidence 
of  this,  the  Holy  Spirit  bestows  on  them  '<  wisdom  and  revelation  in 
the  knowledge  of  Jesus  :  he  enlightens  the  eyes  of  their  understand- 
ing ;  then  they  know  what  is  the  hope  of  their  calling,  and  what  is  the 
riches  of  the  glory  of  his  inheritance  in.  the  saints,  Eph.  i.  17,  18. 
How  unspeakably  blessed  !  How  immensely  rich  are  the  poor  in 
spirit !  "  Having  nothing  in  themselves,  yet  possessing  all  things  in 
Christ  Jesus." 

It  is  usual,  in  worldly  commerce,  where  a  person's  credit  is  not 
established,  to  value  himself  upon  the  credit  of  some  rich  person  : 
so  he  gains  credit  and  repute.  Thus  the  poor  sinner  values  himself 
upon  the  riches  of  Jesus  Christ  for  all  esteem  and  acceptance  in  tlie 
sight  of  God,  and  herein  we  have  confidence  for  all  things.  V/ho  is 
oiu"  wisdom  ?  Jesus.  Who  is  our  righteousness  ?  Jesus.  Who  is 
our  sanctification  ?  Jesus.  Who  is  our  redemption  ?  Jesus.  He  is 
our  glory,  our  crown,  our  hope,  and  our  daily  rejoicin;%  Here,-  O 
soul,  is  thy  precious  inventory  !  Read  it,  and  rejoice  at  thy  riches, 
"  All  things  are  yours  :"  ministers,  the  world,  life,  death,  things 
present,  things  to  come,  are  all  yours.  Wliy  ?  because  you  arc 
faithful  to  grace,  and  have  fulfilled  terms  and  conditions  to  gain' or 
secure  the  favor  of  God  ?  No  :  iiifmitely  hl;',hcr  cause  ;  *'  Ye  ar« 
Christ's,  and  Christ  is  God's,"  I  Cor.  iii.  ?3, 


256  AUGUST  51. 

Likewise  reckon  ye  yourselves  to  be  dead  indeed  unto  sin  : 
but  alive  unto  God  through  Jesus  Christ. — Rom.  vi.  11. 

There  is  a  death  in  sin  which  we  are  all  naturally  under. 
There  is  a  death  ybr  sin  ;  this  our  dear  Saviour  (we  can  never  think 
of  it  too  much,  nor  mention  it  too  often)  suffered  for  on  the  tree. 
And  there  is  a  death  unto  sin,  which  every  believing  member  of  Je- 
sus partakes  of,  by  virtue  of  union  to  him.  For  when  Jesus  died  for 
sin  on  the  cross,  all  his  members  were  mystically  considered  in  him 
and  dvmg  in  him,  as  their  covenant  head  and  representative,  unto  sin. 
And,  by  oeaiimunion  with  Jesus,  the  same  Spirit  which  raised  up  Je- 
sus the  head,  dwells  in  the  mortal  bodies  of  his  believing  members, 
quickening  them  to  newness  of  life.  From  hence  the  apostle  would 
have  such  reckon,  infer,  or  conclude  themselves  "  to  be  indeed  dead 
unto  sin."  And  on  the  same  account,  and  for  the  same  reason, 
"alive  unto  God,  through  Jesus  Christ." 

Now,  believer,  how  dost  thou  reckon,  reason,  and  conclude  of  thy 
spiritual  estate  ?  because  thou  dost  not  find  all  sin  dead  in  thee,  but 
feelest  the  motions  of  sin  stirring  and  raging  for  the  mastery  over 
thee,  dost  thou  from  hence  judge  of  thy  staie,  and  conclude  thou  hast 
not  the  faith  of  God's  elect  I  Al^s  I  this  v.'ill  distress  thy  soul,  weaken 
thy  conF.dence  of  faith,  adminibtcr  life  and  vigour  to  thy  sins  and 
lusts,  and  bring  death  upon  thy  spiritual  life  of  comfort,  love,  and 
holiness.  The  word  of  God  is  the  only  rule  of  our-faith  ;  by  that  we 
are  to  determine  of  our  state.  Though  sin  be  alive  in  thee,  yet  thou 
art  to  reckon  thyself  dead  to  that,  so  as  to  have  nothing  to  do  with  it. 
Though  thou  groanest  under  "  a  body  of  death,"  yet  thou  art  to 
conckide  thyself  "  alive  unto  God  through  Jesus  Christ."  Reckon 
thyself  dead  to  that  sin  of  sins,  unbelief.  This  is  the  life  of  all 
other  sins.  Be  deaf  to  its  reasonings,  dead  to  its  pleas.  Both  dis- 
honor thy  Lord,  and  rob  thy  soul  of  its  comfort. 

Here  is  the  mystery  of  faith.  This  is  to  be  held  in  a  pure  con- 
science. There  is  a  freedom  from  sins';  of  access  to  God  with  bold- 
ness. Here  is  the  victory  of  sa.ints.  Here  is  the  triumph  of  truth 
against  all  our  enemies,  to  the  death  of  sin  and  the  life  of  holiness. 
Hence,  through  the  Spirit  of  truth  spruigs  our  daily  comfort,  con- 
tinued growth  in  grace,  in  the  knowledge  of  Jesus,  and  in  personal 
holiness  of  life  and  conversation. 

Do  M-e  not  know  that  so'cmn  v.ord,  So  from  the  gr.ivt^  did  Christ  arise, 

That,  wn  are  hm  vM  \i  ith  the  I.orf!,  And  lives  to  tiod  above  the  skies. 

Bnptir/d  into  liis  dcnth,  .ind  then  N"o  more  let  sin  nnd  satan  rt-ign 

Tutoff  thebody  ofoursiu  ?  Over  our  mortnlflcsh  again  : 

Our  sotds  receive  divinor  hre.ath,  The  various  lusts  we  serv'd  before, 

Rais'd  From  corruption,  gui't  and  death  ;  Shall  have  don»ltilon  now  no  more 


SEPTEMBER  1.  057 

For  if  when  we  xvere  enemies^  we  were  reconciled  to  God 
by  the  death  of  his  Son,  much  more  being  reconciled^  we 
shall  be  saved  by  his  life. — Rom.  v.  10. 

Near  twenty  years  ugo,  upon  hearing  a  certuin  preacher  vehe- 
mently assert,  «  that  souls  might  be  justified  by  faitli  in  Jesus,  and 
yet  afterwards  bum  in  hell,"  my  soul  was  brought  into  great  dark- 
ness, perplexity,  and  disti'css.     Glory  to  my  dear  Lord,  by  this  very 
text  he  again  restored  light,  peace,  and  joy  to  my  soul,  and  clearly 
taught  and  comfortably  estciblished  me  in  the  scriptural  doctrine  of 
the  certain  perseverance  of  all  God's  saints  to  eternfJ  glory,    I  record 
this  to  the  praise  of  our  dear  Lord,  and  to  the  comfort  of  his  people. 
"  If  when  we  were  enemies  :" — to  whom  ?  Our  worst  foe,  satan  ? 
No-:  but  to  our  best  friend,  God  :  the  God  of  our  salvation  :  to  Jesus 
our  God  and  Saviour  :  to  God  the  Spirit  our  sanctifier  ;  to  the  gos- 
pel of  his  grace,  and  word  of  our  scdvation.     O,  what  a  precious  word 
is  this  !  "  reconciled  to  God."     God  in  Christ  was  reconciled  to  us. 
O,  what  love  and  grace  ever  dwelt  in  his  hcait  to  us  eiienues,  trai- 
tors, and  rebels  against  him  !  this  he  manifested  in  reconciling  us  to 
himself.     IIow  ?  <■  By  the  death  of  his  Son."     O,  my  fellow  binncrs  ! 
at  every  step  let  higher  wonder  rise  in  your  hearts  and  mine.     The 
cross  of  Jesus,  what  hath  it  done  for  us  !  Jesus  dying  on  tl-e  cross  ! 
O,  what  hath  it  effected  ix  us  !  Here  we  view,  believe,  and  know 
the  love  God  hath  to  us.     This  belief  slays  the  enmity  of  our  rebel- 
lious hearts;  bows  our  stubborn  wills,  and  attracts   our  uiienated 
affections.     We  throw  down  our  arms,  embrace  our  reconciled  God, 
desire  for  ever  to  cease  all  hostility  against  him.     "  Much  more  being- 
reconciled"  to  God's  purposes,  providence,  and  grace  ;  his  way  of 
salvation  by  his  Son  Jesus,  submitting  to  his  righteousness  for  justi- 
fication, to  his  sceptre  to  be  governed,  to  his  Spirit  to  be  led,  and  to 
his  gospel  to  be  saved  and  ruled.     What  then  ?     Being  thus  recon- 
ciled, may  we  not  be  cast  off  at  last,  imd  burn  in  hell  tor  ever  ?  Yes,  if 
Jesus  can  die,  perish,  and  be  annihilated  ;  but  not  otherwise.     For, 
"  how  much  more  shall  we  be  saved  by  his  life  !"   By  faith  we  receive 
the  atonement  of  his  death.     This  is  the  life  of  our  souls.     By  his 
life  o    intercession  for  us,  we  arc  as  safe  and  as  sui-e  of  glory,  ar, 
though  we  were  already  seated  in  the  hcaveiJy  m..nsions  :  unless 
Christ  shed  his  blood  in  vain,  God  reconciles  us  to  himself  in-vain  ; 
our  faith  is  vain  ;  the  work  of  God's  Spirit  is  in  viun ;  and  all  the  pro- 
mises of  God  are  in  vain,  and  of  no  effect.     But  all  this  is  utterly 
impossible.     God's  purpose  according  to  election  shall  stand,  not  of 
'  urks,  but  of  him  who  callcth,  Rom.  ix.  1 1- 


258  SEPTEMBER  2. 

He  shall  glorify  me, — John  xvi.  14. 

The  gospel  of  Jesus  is  suited  to  our  intligcrit  slate  and  distress- 
ed circumstances  ;  but  we  are  averse  to  receive  the  truth  in  the  love 
of  it,  because  of  our  loftiness  of  Spirit  and  pride  of  heart.  A  system 
that  tends  to  exalt  and  glorify  us  in  our  own  eyes  and  in  the  sight  of 
others,  we  are  naturally  very  fond  of.  This  notion  sticks  close  to  us, 
we  do  not  easily  part  v/ith  it.  To  imagine  ourselves  possest  of  some 
inherent  good  dispositions  and  amiable  tempers,  which  put  us  upon 
more  respectable  terms  in  the  sight  of  God,  and  gain  his  favor,  this 
wc  arc  apt  to  mistake  for  the  work  of  the  Spirit,  upon  the  heart. 
But  as  this  notion  leads  from  the  faith  and  hope  of  the  gospel,  oppo- 
seth  the  glory  of  Jesus,  lays  another  foundation  than  that  wltfch  God 
hath  laid,  and  tends  to  plume  the  creature  with  pride  and  viuiity,  wc 
are  taught  to  reject  it  as  a  spirit  of  Antichrist  and  delusion.  This 
God  severely  reproves  his  church  of  old  for  :  "  Thou  didst  trust  in 
thine  own  beauty  and  playedst  the  harlot,  because  of  thy  renown," 
Ezek.  xvi.  15.  But  the  blessed  Spirit,  who  effects  the  marriage- 
union  between  the  Lamb  and  his  bride,  doth  nothing  upon  the  heart 
that  it  should  trust  in,  so  as  to  attract  the  affections  from  Jesus,  or  to 
produce  incontinency  of  behaviour  to  our  rightful  Lord.  No  :  "  the 
Spirit  shall  glorify,  not  himself  as  the  agent,  not  yourselves  as  the 
subject  of  his  operations,  but  he  shall  glorify  me,"  saith  Jesus,  in 
your  sight,  heart,  and  aficctions.  lie  shall  bear  vvitness  to  my  per- 
son and  offices  of  the  rtdation  I  stand  in  to  you  ;  that  justification  is 
solely  by  my  righteousness,  atonement  for  your  sins  by  my  own 
sacrifice,  and  pardon  of  them  by  my  blood  :  that  I  am  your  priest, 
ever  before  the  throne,  representing  your  persons,  and  pleading 
your  cause.  So  shall  you  find  peace  in  me,  live  daily  upon  me,  and 
rejoice  only  in  me. 

Thus  by  this  work  of  the  Spirit,  Christ  alone  is  exulted  and  glori- 
fied ;  our  hearts  comforted  in  truth,  and  sanctified  in  love,  to  the 
honor  and  service  of  our  heavenly  King.  Thus,  to  them  that 
believe,  Jesus  is  precious  ;  because  we  see  the  Father's  love  centre 
in  him,  and  diffusing  itself  through  his  pierced  heart  to  ours,  by  the 
Holy  Ghost  given  to  us.  Hence  we  become  alive  in  our  spirits  and 
jiffections  to  God,  and  dead  to  self-seeking,  self-righteous,  self-glo- 
rying views.  Wc  die  daily  to  carnal  lusts  and  corrupt  affections, 
whidi  we  know  tend  to  dishonor  our  dear  Lord,  and  contrary  to  his 
will,  degrade  our  souls,  and  rob  us  of  sweet,  heart-felt  communion 
with  him.  The  more  Jesus  is  thus, glorified,  ar.d  wc  abide  in  h.im, 
30  much  the  i-ftore  are  wc  enabled  to  bring  forth  the  fruits  of  tl^c 
Spirit  to  the  praise  and  glory  of  hii^i.  "  As  many  as  are  led  by  the 
Spirit  of  God,  thcyui'e  the  sons  of  God,"  Rom.  viii.  14. 


SEPTEMBER  3.  259 

IFho  maketh  thee  to  differ  from  anotJier  *— 1  Cor.  iv.  7. 

PEftHAPS  few  will  reply,  in  the  very  words  of  a  haiij^hty  Anni- 
nian,  «  I  of  myself,  made  myself  to  difter  ;  siuLC  I  could  resist  God 
and  divine  pre-dctemunution,  but  have  not.     Why  then  may  I  not 
g'lory  in  myself  ?"    Yet  such  is  the  language  of  all  our  proud  hearts 
by  nature,  we  are  so  fond  of  vain-glory.     Awful  declaration  of  our 
Lord's  I  "  Every  idle  word  that  men  shall  speak,  they  shall  give  an 
account  of  in  the  day  of  judgment."     Who  tlicn  can  be   saved?  I 
h  umbly  conceive  these  idle  words  imply  proud,  self-righteous,  self- 
sufficient  words,  maliciously  spoken  in  contempt  of  the  sovereign, 
distinguishing  grace  of  God,  free  justification  by  the  righteousness 
of  Jesus,  and  full  salvation  by  his  finished  work  only.  -  So  Mai. 
iii.    13 — "  Your  words  have  been  stout  against  me,  sailh  the  Lord." 
The  Arhole  of  that  in  Matt.  xii.  seems  to  prove  this  sense,  and  the 
context  confirms  it — <'  By  thy  words  thou  shalt   be  justified."     i.  e. 
Ry  the  confession  of  thy  mouth,  arising  from  the  belief  of  thy  heart 
of  salvation  by  grace,  through  the  Son  of  God,  thou  sh.alt  be  justified, 
"  and   by  thy  words  thou   shalt  be  cy.idemned."     i.  e.     Thy  words 
betray  the  pride  and  unbelief  of  thy  heart,  in  not  submitting   to  the 
sovereignty  of  God's  gr?ce  :md  free  salvation  by  his  beloved  Son. 
For  this  thou  shalt  be  condemned.     By  line  upon  line,  and  precept 
upon  precept  the  Holy  Ghost  testifies  of,  exalts  and  glorifies  the 
Lord  Jesus,  as  all  our  salvation,  and  bea'.eth  down  all  self-confidence, 
and  all  self-glorying. 

Yet  we  dare  not  deny  what  tlie  Holy  Spirit  hath  done  in  our  hearts. 
By  this  we  differ  from  otliers,  and  are  distinguished  froni  our  former 
selves,  Avhen  in  our  natural  state  of  pride.  But  this  is  all  of  the 
sovereign  grace  of  God.  Hence  wc  'are  made  to  dificr  as  to  our 
ajicech.  Wc  dare  not  speak  of  ourselves  but  as  poor  sinners,  who 
never  have,  nor  never  could  do  wiy  thing  to  make  ourselves  differ 
in  state  or  in  practice.  We  are  made  to  differ  in  Jud^mint.  We 
no  longer  set  our  dear  Saviour  at  nought,  or  so  lighily  esteem  the 
love  of  God  as  to  think  we  can  gain  an  inteicst  in  Jesus,  and  procure 
a  title  to  Gotl's  favor  by  our  own  works.  But  we  firmly  believe 
"  God  hath  made  us  accepted  in  the  beloved,  to  the  praise  of  the 
glory  of  his  grace,"  Eph.  i.  6.  Hence  our  affections  are  turned 
to  God  in  Christ  by  the  power  of  the  Spirit ;  Jesus  is  the  delight  of 
our  souls  and  the  glory  of  our  hearts.  He  is  to  us  the  chicfcst 
among  ten  thousand,  and  altogether  lovely-  His  love,  person, 
offices,  and  work,  so  enamour  our  souls  and  en(J^ir  him  to  our 
hearts,  that  we  arc  continuallv  longing  to  kiioto  him  more.  Also, 
o\xr  firac  tic  e,i%  hereby  influenced  to  hate  and  forsake  thetrifiiiig 
conversation,  the  vain  amusements,  sinful  vanities  of  a  wicked 
world.  "  For  our  fellowship  is  with  the  Father  and  his  Son  Jesus 
Chris?"  1  Johu  i.  3. 


260  SEPTEMBER  4. 

l^'or  all  the p7-oimses  of  God  in  him  are  yea,  and  in  him 
Amen,  unto  the  glory  of  God  by  us. — 2  Cor.  i.  20. 

Through  the  workings  of  our  carnal  frames,  it  is  natural  to  us 
all  to   seek  comfort  from  legal  work,  instead   of  gospel  promises. 
Wiien  a  poor  sinner  is  taught  by  man  to  believe,  "  unless  he  performs 
the  condition,  he  cannot  receive  the  blessing  of  the  promise  :"  from 
this  mistaken  notion  he  labours  and  toils  for  a  season,   but  finding 
himself  unable  to  reduce  the  dcctrine  to  practice,  he  sits  down  in  de- 
jection, and  gives  up  all  hope  of  mercy  in  this  way.     This  v/ill   al- 
ways be  the  case  where  sincerity  is  not  suffered  to  give  way  to  self- 
deceit.     But  when  the  sun  of  righteousness  ariseth  with    glory  on 
the  soul,  these  mists  of  ignorance  flee  away.     When  the  free-love  of 
the  everlasting  covenant  is  made  msnifest  to  a  sinner's  heart,  by  the 
Spirit,  he  cries  out  in  wonder  and  ecstacy,  "  This  is  all  my  salvation 
and  all  my  desire."     When  by  faith  he  beholds  Jesus  the  surety  of 
the  covenant,  sees  all  the  promises  of  life  and  salvation  certerinhim, 
Jesus  becomes  the  hope  of  his  soul,  and  the  promise,  the  joy    of  his 
heart.     Blessed  be  God  for  a  precious  Christ,  precious  premises,  and 
precious  faith.     What  could  our  God  do  more  ?  What  could  he  give 
more  to  his  people  than  what  he  hath  graciously  done  for  them,  and 
freely  given  to  them  ?  Disciple,  wherefore  dost  thou   dcubt  ?    Why 
art  thou  reading  a  gloomy  lecture  over  thy  fallen  state  ?  W  by  sitting 
Vv  ith  folded  hands,  and  dejected  look,  because  thou  feelcst  the  corrupt 
workings  of  thy  sinful  flesh  ?  Wh  it  have  thy  legal  thoughts  brought 
forth  but  that  black  monster,   unbelief?  This  dares  to  gain^jiy  the 
truths  of  God,  deny  his  promises,  set  the  Saviour  at  nought,  and  rob 
him  of  his  glory,     What !  because  thou  canst  not  find   nor  feel  any 
thing  in  thyself  to  deserve  God's  love,  or  for  which  he  should  make 
one  promise  of  mercy,  wilt  liiou  therefore  conclude  against  the  great- 
ness of  his  love  and  freeness  of  his  promises  ?  Yea,  but  it  is  for  that 
very  reason,  because  thou  hast  nothing  in  thyself  but  sin  and  misery, 
thy  God  wJU  have  all  the  glo;"y  of  his  own  grace  in  saving  thy   soul, 
according  to  his  promise  in  Christ  Jesus.  .  The  Lam.b,  who  spilt  his 
blood  for  sin,  who  hath  righteousness  for  the  naked,  and  a  tongue  to 
])U:ad  the  cause  of  the  destitute,  has  all  the  promises  in  his  hands,  to 
bestow  the  blessing  of  tliem  on  his  needy  members.     Therefore  cut 
of  hisjulness  we  receive,  and  grace  for  grace.     So  the  Holy   Spirit 
givetit  us  to  believe  and  come  to  the  inexhaustible  fuhiess  of  Jesus 
for  our  every  supply.     Here  we  may  fix  cur  firiih,  and  in  the  assu- 
rance of  truth  1;^  confident  we  shall  want  nothing.      For  this  very 
end  is  connected  with  our  comfort,  "the  glory  of  Cod."     Therefore 
every  promise  of  i?race  here  and  glory  hereafter  are  sure  :  yea  and 
c;nr77,  so-be  it  ;  according  to  God's  purpose   and,  grace  in  Christ- 
Jesus,  2  Tim.  i.  9. 


SEPTEMBER  5.  261 

Fear  not^  thou  -worm  Jacob. — Isa.  xli.  14. 

In  thclight  of  truth,  and  under  the  teaching  of  the  Spirit,  every 
believer  in  Jesus  loses  sight  of  the  oi.cc  fancied  disnily  of  his  human 
nature,  and  sinks  in  the  view  of  himself  to  the  meane-i  reptile.  Pro- 
bably the  church,  in  Isaiuh's  days,  had  been  considering  her  weak, 
helpless  state  ;  surrounded  with  trials  and  difliculties  ;  exposed  con- 
tinually to  the  power  of  enemies  on  every  side  ;  in  great  danger  of 
being  trodden  under  feet  and  crushed  to  death  ;  and  had  been  laying 
her  case  before  the  Lord,  confessing  the  words  of  David,  "  I  am  a 
worm,  and  no  man,"  Psalm  xxii.  9.  Well,  the  Lord  condescends 
to  reply  to  such  humble  souls  in  their  own  language.  "  Though 
thou  art  as  mejui  in  thine  own  eyes,  aijd  as  despicable  in  'the  sight 
of  others  as  a  poor,  base,  insignificant,  craAvIing  worm  of  the  earth, 
yet  thou  art  precious  in  my  picrhL  Though  thou  h'ast  no  power  in 
thyself  to  resist  thine  enemies,  no  strength  to  support  thyself  under 
thine  afflictions  and  distresses,  though  satan  threutens,  troubles  bow 
thee  down,  corruptions  rage,  and  rJl  the  combined  force  of  earth  and 
hell  is  enraged  against  thee,  yet/c«j-  7Uit^  thou  \uoria,  saith  the  Lord." 

Thou  soldier  of  Jesus,  ^^fear  not"  is  the  word  of  command  from 
the  captain  of  thy  salvation.  Scarce  any  phrase  so  frequently  occurs 
in  the  word  of  God  as  this.  Consider  it  as  an  antidote  against  all  thy 
despondin^^s,  doubtings,  and  dcjecdons.  Thou  canst  never  fall  into 
any  exercise,  be  under  any  temptation,  be  visited  by  any  affliction, 
come  into  any  straits  or  difficulties,  but  what  the  power  of  God  can 
support  thee  under,  and  bring  thee  safely  through.  Consult  not 
human  probability  ;  judge  not  according  to  appearances  ;  say  not, 
<  Worm  as  I  am,  I  shall  surely  be  crushed.'  Nay,  but  is  any  thing 
too  hard  for  God  ?  He  saith,  "  I  will  help  thee  ;"  I  will  succour  ;  I 
will  support  thee  ;  I  will  strengthen  thee  ;  my  grace  is  sufficient  for 
thee.  Can  a  God  of  truth  promise  in  vain  ?  Will  a  God  of  love  ever 
fail  to  assist  ?  Doth  not  a  God  of  wisdom  know  when  to  deliver  ?  Suf- 
fice it,  wc  have  his  promise.  That  engages  his  truth,  and  that  de- 
mands our  faith  to  honor  him.  But,  "  I  am  with  thee,"  saith  the 
Saviour.  He  is  present;  though  perhaps  thou  thinkest  otherwise, 
and  feelest  not  his  comfortable  presence.  Thy  most  secret  sigh,  as 
well  as  every  distfess,  lies  open  to  his  view.  The  crafty  designs  of 
thy  subtle  foe,  and  all  his  vile  stratagems,  are  without  a  covering 
before  thy  Lord.  Terrify  and  distress  thee  he  may,  but  prevail  over 
thy  soul  he  shall  not !  "  For  he  that  keepeth  Israel,  neither  slnmbcr- 
eth  nor  sleepeth."  He  is  ever  watchful  to  guard,  and  powerful  to 
keep  :  and  he  hath  given  us  this  absolute  promise,  *'  No  weapon  that 
is  formed  against  thee  shall  prosper  ;  and  every  tongue  that  shall  lise 
against  thee  in  judgment,  thou  shalt  condemn,"  Isa.  liv.  17. 

Vol.  I.  I  i 


262  SEPTEMBER  6. 

If  a  man  think  himself  to  be  something  tohen  he  is  nothings 
he  deceiveth  himself. — Gal.  vi.  3. 

T'he  leaven  of  Phariseeism,  pride,  self-righteousness,  and  self- 
sufficiency,  is  interw'Oven  with  our  very  nature.  In  the  beginning 
that  arch-deceiver,  satan,  poisoned  the  minds  of  our  first  parents 
with  that  corrupt  doctrine^  <'  Ye  shall  be  as  gods,  knowing  good  and 
evil."  This  infection  hath  tainted  the  whole  human  race  :  naturally 
every  man  deceiveth  himself:  he  thinks  himself  to  be  that  which  in 
reality  he  is  not.  Hence  is  rooted  enmity  to  the  salvation  of  Jesus 
and  the  grace  of  the  gospel :  here  man  is  nothing  ;  here  the  creature 
is  annihilated.  As  Paul  saith  of  an  "idol,  it  is  nodiing  in  the 
world  :"  so  that  idol,  a  man's  self,  is  nothing,  knows  nothing,  can 
do  nothing  in  tJie  great  work  of  salvation.  Fallen  nature,  with  all 
its  boasted  goodness,  affected  piety,  devout  efforts,  contributes 
nothing  ;  for  "  all  is  of  grace,"  rich,  free,  and  sovereign  grace.  Man, 
with  all  his  vaunted  "  knowledge  of  good  and  evil ;"  his  free  will  to 
choose  the  good  and  refuse  the  evil,  his  rectitude  to  perform  his 
duty  and  secure  his  salvation,  by  fulfilling  terms  and  conditions  of 
the  gospel ;  all  these  "are  mere  non-entities  ;  lighter  than  vanity 
when  weighed  in  the  balance  of  the  sanctuary. 

O  believer,  when  thou  thinkest  thyself  nothing,  knowest  nothing 
of  thyself,  then  thou  thinkest  and  knov/est  right.  But  when  thou 
art  led  to  think,  "  now  I  am  something  in  myself;  now  I  know  some- 
thing by  myself;  now  I  can  do  something  of  myself,  to  keep  myself 
in  the  favor  of  God,  and  to  be  faithful  to  his  grace,"  verily  thou 
deceivest  thyself.  This  is  acting  like  the  church  of  Galatia  under 
spiritual  witchcraft,  "beginning  in  the  Spirit,  and  ending  in  the  flesh." 
This,  in  the  strict  and  proper  sense,  is  '■'■  falling  from  grace"  So 
nature's  pride  exalts  one's  self,  and  censures  other  christians  as  car- 
nal and  unfaithful.  This  pride  of  the  flesh  opposeth  our  growth  in 
grace,  and  is  contrary  to  the  humbling  knowledge  of  Jesus  Christ. 
To  know  the  grace  of  God  in  truth,  is  to  own  its  sovereign  operations 
upon  the  soul,  to  be  steady  as  the  sun.  in  its  course,  uncontrolabie 
as  the  wind  in  its  power,  unfi'ustrable  as  the  tide  in  its  motion,  and 
as  unyielding  to  the  power  of  nature  and  the  will  of  man,  as  the  proud 
waves  of  the  great  ocean.  To  "  put  on  the  Lord  Jesus,"  is  to  "  put 
off  the  old  man  with  its  deceitful  lusts,"  and  pride.  To  "  rejoice  in 
Clirist  Jesus,"  is  to  "  have  no  confidence  in  the  flesh."  The  Lord 
will  "  suffer  no  flesh  to  glory  in  his  presence."  "  Let  him  that  glori- 
cth,  glory  in  the  Lord,"  1  Cor.  i.  3 1 .  Happy  for  us,  with  Paul,  "most 
gladly  therefore,  will  I  rather  glory  in  my  infirmities,  that  the  power 
of  Christ  may  rest  upon  me,"  2  Cpr.  xii.  9. 


SEPTEMBER  7.  263 

Be  careful  for  nothing  :  but  in  every  thing,  by  prayer  a?id 
supplication,  with  thanksgivirig,  let  your  requests  be 
made  unto  God. — Phil.  iv.  6. 

All  anxious  cares  whicli  torture  and  distress  the  mind  arise 
from  unbelief;  they  arc  contrary  to  our  profession,  dishono)able  to 
our  God,  and  hurtful  to  the  peace  and  comfort  of  our  souls.  There- 
fore they  are  forbid  by  the  gospel  of  grace,  in  love  to  the  children 
of  God.  But,  believer,  thou  hast  not  so  learned  Christ  as  to  pass 
away  a  life  of  careless  indolence  and  tlioughtiess  inactivity.  No; 
vigilance,  industry,  and  fervency  of  spirit,  is  a  suitable  frame  ever 
to  be  found  in.  Not  slothful  in  business,  but  fervent  in  Spirit,  serv- 
ing the  Lord.  Careful  and  diligent  in  die  use  of  all  means  in  thy 
power,  both  to  procure  the  subsistence  and  welfare  of  thy  body,  as 
well  as  to  keep  up  the  liveliness  and  vigour  of  thy  soul.  Careful 
and  diligent,  yet  without  care  that  hath  disquietude  and  distress.  As 
to  the  things  of  tliis  life,  it  is  sufficient  to  answer  all  thy  anxiety,  and 
silence  thy  every  fear  and  doubt ;  your  heavenly  Father  (saith  Jesus) 
knoweth  you  have  need  of  them."  He  feeds  the  birds.  Will  he 
suffer  his  babes  to  starve  ?  Thou  shalt  have  all  things  needful  for 
life  and  godliness.  If  such  a  sinner  as  I  may  sp^ak  of  himself,  under 
worldly  losses  and  disappointments  I  have  thought,  "  Well,  though 
I  have  not  what  I  expected,  I  can  very  well  go  to  heaven  without 
it."  This  consideration,  thanks  to  my  dear  Saviour,  hath  often 
brought  a  heaven  of  contentment  to  my  soul,  in  a  world  of  disap- 
p  ointment. 

As  to  spiritual  blessings,  «  He  that  spared  not  his  own  Son,  but 
freely  gave  him  up  a  sacrifice  for  our  sins ;  how  shall  he  not  with 
him  also  freely  give  us  all  things."  The  Father  that  hath  "  blessed 
us  with  all  spiritual  blessings  in  Christ  Jesus,"  will  hand  them  out 
to  us  by  his  holy  Spirit  in  number,  weight,  and  measure,  just  as  his 
wisdom  sees  best ;  audit  is  our  wisdom  to  be  content  and  thankful. 
Here  is  encouragement  for  faith  and  prayer. 

And  canst  thou  look  within,  without,  around,  above,  and  see  no 
cause  for  thanksgiving  and  praise,  O  [christian  ?  Are  not  what  thou 
hast  in  hand,  and  what  thou  hast  in  hope,  the  free-gifts  of  the  grace 
of  thy  God  ?  Call  to  mind  his  mercies  to  excite  gratitude  ;  re  licet  on 
his  promises  to  quicken  in  prayer.  Under  all  thy  trials,  distresses, 
sorrows,  fears,  doubts,  and  difficulties,  here  is  sweet  encouragement 
for  thy  soul ;  speak  tliem  out  freely  :  make  thy  requests  familiarly 
unto  God.  And  what  shall  be  the  happy  consec|uence  ?  Hear  and  re- 
joice, thou  shalt  have  more  "  abundantly  than  cither  tliou  c;uist  think 
of  or  ask  for,"  Eph.  iii.  20. 

Christ  ever  lives  to  intercede  Content,  my  soul,  thy  cause  he'll  plead, 

Before  his  Father's  f;ice  :  Kor  doult  tliy  F»thcr's  j^race. 


264  SEPTEMBER  8. 

My  grace  is  sufficient  for  thee :  for  my  strength  is  made 
perfect  in  thy  weakness ^ — 2  Cor.  xii.  9. 

Spiritual  conflicts  with  the  enemy  of  souls  are  the  lot  of  all 
God's  children.  Holy  Paul  was  under  deep  and  tifiiicting  distress  of 
soul.  Satan  the  adversary  assaulted  him  very  powerfully.  He 
groaned  under  it;  he  frequently  besought  Jesus  that  this  grierous 
and  painful  messenger  of  satan  might  be  made  to  depart  from  him, 
and  that  his  conflict  might  be  at  an  end.  O,  what  distressing  exer- 
cises God's  children  undergo  from  the  enemy  !  The  hearts  of  such 
only  know  the  bitterness  thereof.  But  is  the  captain  of  their  salva- 
tion regardless  of  them  ?  Is  he  deaf  to  their  prayers  when  they  call 
on  him  ?  No  :  he  he  ever  heai's,  he  always  answers  hi  love.  But  did 
the  Lord  grant  his  dear  servant's  request  ?  No  ;  then  the  design  of 
love  would  not  have  been  answered.  Paul  was  in  danger  of  being 
"  exalted  above  measure.''  This  was  to  be  prevented.  He  was  "  to 
glory  in  infirmities."  This  was  to  be  effected.  Satan's  design  was 
for  his  evil.  Jesus  makes  it  work  for  good.  But  that  he  might  not 
faint  in  the  combat,  this  comfortable  answer  is  given,  "  My  grace  is 
sufficient  for  thee  ;  for  my  strength  is  iTiade  perfect  in  weakness." 
Let  it  suffice,  my  love  and  favor  is  ever  towards  you  ;  my  almighty 
strength  is  engaged  to  preserve  you.  '1  hough  you  are  weakness  it- 
self to  withstand  such  an  enemy,  yet  my  almighty  strength  shall  up- 
hold you  ;  in  this  you  shall  conquer. 

Here  is  the  strongest  assurance  for  the  confidence  of  faith,  and  the 
most  solid  ground  for  the  rejoicing  of  hope.  The  grace  and  love  of 
Jesus  opposed  to  the  malice  and  hatred  of  satan  ;  the  strength  of  Je- 
hovah triumphing  in,  and  made  illustricusly  glorious  through  saints' 
weakness.  O,  what  an  ever-loving,  all-sufficient,  omnipotent  Lord 
is  Jehovah  Jesus  !  The  Lord  whom  thou  scrvest,  believer,  kr^ov/s 
tliy  every  distress  and  conflict  of  soul.  He  will  strengthen  thee  in, 
support  thee  under,  and  bring  thee  safe  through  and  out  of  all  thy 
exercises  and  troubles.  Thou  shalt  lose  nothing  in  the  furnace  but 
the  dross  of  nature's  pride  and  corruption,  and  the  vanity  of  self-glo- 
rying, self-sufficiency,  and  self-righteciTsncss.  God  by  his  Spirit 
will  teach  thee  to  profit  in  humility  and  sclf-difiidence,  and  to  glory 
in  and  exalt  the  Lord  Jesus  more  and  more.  Sweet  and  encouraging 
is  that  promise  to  God's  church  and  people  in  general :  strong  and 
comim-ting  is  God's  declaration  to  Paul,  in  particular  :  "  Fear  not, 
for  I  am  with  thee  ;  be  not  dismayed,  for  I  am  thy  God  :  I  will 
strengthen  thee  ;  yea  I  will  help  thee  ;  yea  I  will  uphold  thee  with 
the  right  hand  of  my  righteousness,"  It.a.  xli.  10. 

I  can  <]o  all  tliinRR,  or  can  Lear  Tint  if  tliC  Lord  be  once  withdrawn, 

All  anfreriflgs  ii'  uiy  Lord  be  there  :  And  we  atten)j)t  the  work  ;done  : 

Sweet  pleasures  mingle  witU  the  pains,  When  new  temptations  spring  and  i-ise^ 

While  lijs  leff  hj\nd  my  head  sustains.  AVe  find  ho\r  great  our  weakness    is. 


SEPTEMBER  i^.  265 

Judge  not  according  to  the  appearance^  but  judge  righteous 
Judgment. — Jolin  vii.  24. 

Bv  acting  contrary  to  this  advice  of  our  prophet,  the  children  of 
God  oitcn  distress  their  poor  hearts.  Perhaps  in  no  one  instance 
more  than  this.  "  My  feet  were  almost  gone,  my  steps  had  wr-ll 
nigh  slipt,"  said  the  Psalmist.  Why  ?  What  was  the  case  ?  Alas  ! 
alas  I  he  had  been  looking  at  the  outwai  d  appea  ranee  of  the  wicked. 
How  happy,  gay,  and  joyful  they  seemed  ?  So  that  corrupt  nature 
and  carnal  reason  had  erected  a  tribunal  in  opposition  to  faith  and 
truth.  "  Verily,"  says  he  "  I  have  cleansed  my  heart  in  vain,"  Sec. 
But  he  was  soon  undeceived  and  brought  to  "  judge  righteous 
judgment."  from  the  records  of  truth  in  the  sanctuary  of  his  God, 
Psalm  Ixxiii.  Professors  of  old  had  a  severe  check  (Mai.'  iii.)  for 
thus  judging.  "  Your  words  have  been  stout  against  me,  saith  the 
Lord ;  ye  have  said  it  is  vain  to  serve  God,"  £cc.  "You  call  the  proud," 
that  is,  the  self-righteous,  but  disobedient  persons,  whom  I  resist 
and  abhor,  "  happy."  Christian,  beware  of  juclging  of  men.  Be 
cautious  of  determining  of  matters  by  appearances.  They  arc  very 
deceitful.  Judge  of  no  man's  stt  te  by  appearances  ;  evil  actions  we 
may  condemn;  good  actions  we  should  applaud.  But  to  judge  and 
determine  the  eternal  state  of  any  by  appearances,  we  have  no 
authority.  It  was  a  judicious  speech  ol  St.  Ausdn,  "  If  I  see  a 
wirkcd  man  die,  shall  I  say  he  is  gone  to  hell  ?  I  dare  not.  Shall  I 
say  he  is  gone  to  heaven  ?  I  cannot." 

How  awful  were  tlie  falls  of  David  and  Peter  I  To  what  dreadful 
lengths  of  cruel  persecutions  against  Christ,  his  truth,  and  members, 
did  Paul  run  !  Yet  how  did  the  rich  grace  of  our  God  triumph  in 
their  repentance  and  salvation  !  Therefore,  believer,  even  as  to  thine 
own  eternal  state,  judge  not  from  present  sense  and  appearance, 
though  all  things  seem  against  tliee.  Oppose  not  thy  frauics  and 
feelings  to  God's  truth,  love,  grace,  promises,  and  oath  in  Christ 
Jesus.  And  they  all  point — to  whom  ?  Even  to  sinners,  lost  and 
perishing  sinners.  Whatever  else  thou  hast  lost,  a  sense  of  sin  is 
with  thee.  True,  sayest  thou,  and  a  dreadful  sense  it  is.  I  also 
know  the  same  ;  I  have  a  fellowship  with  thee  in  t'lc  Sume  sorrowful 
truth.  But  still,  «  this  is  a  faithful  saying,  worthy  of  all  acceptation 
at  all  times,  that  Christ  Jesus  came  into  the  world  to  save  sinners."' 
Is  there  a  doubt  in  thine  heart,  a  fear  in  thy  mind,  a  sin  upon  thy 
conscience,  but  he  is  able  to  relieve  and  cleanse  thee  from  ?  "  Be  not 
faithless,  butgKrbelieving,"  saith  thy  Lord,  John  xx.  27. 

Notdiff'rent  food  or  diff'rent  dress,  AVJien  weaker  cliristiaiis  we  despise, 

Compose  the  kingdom  of  our  Lord  ;  We  do  the  gospel  mighty  wrong. 

But  peace  and  joy  and  righteousness,  I''«i"  f-od,  llio  giacio'it-  and  llie  wise, 

Faith  and  obedience  to  his  word.  Receives  llic  feeble  with  the  sti-cng. 


266  SEPTEMBER  10. 

And  the  children  struggled  together  within  her  :  and  she 
said.  If  it  be  so,  why  am  I  thus?  A?id  she  went  to  in- 
quire of  the  Lord. — Gen.  xxv.  22. 

Very  uncommon  and  extraordinary  was  the  case  of  Rebekah  : 
inward  commotion  and  strong  contention,  between  the  fruit  of  her 
body,  alarmed  her  greatly  :  each  threatening  death  to  the  other, 
and  herself  also.  Happy  her  conduct.  In  this  distress  she  seeks 
satisfaction  from  the  Lord.  A  noble  instance  of  faith  and  familiarity 
with  the  God  of  Israel.  This  also  was  written  for  our  learning:  a 
very  just  and  striking  emblem  is  this  of  the  christian.  As  A^erily  as 
Jacob  and  Esau  were  in  the  womb  of  Rebckali,  so  is  the  christian 
the  subject  of  two  contending  parties,  the  old  and  new  man,  flesh 
and  Spirit.  The  life  of  each  is  opposite  to  the  other;  each  is  striving 
for  the  mastery  over  the  other.  Here  is  the  daily  conflict  of  dis- 
ciples, 

To  good  and  evil  equal  bent ; 

Sinful  in  nature,  yet  a  saint. 

How  does  the  poor  groaning,  burdened  sinner  act  ?  Like  himself, 
a  believer  on  Jesus.  With  Rebekah,  he  goes  to  his  counsellor ^ 
he  enquires  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  Is  he  like  Paul  in  conflict  of  soul 
crying  out,  "O  wretched  man  that  I  am  ?"  Yea,  like  Rebekah,  is  he 
sometimes  weary  of  his  life,  because  of  the  daughters  of  Heth,  tlie 
numerous  progeny  of  corrupt  lusts  of  the  flesh  !  Here  is  an  evidence 
of  his  spiritual  life  :  this  is  a  full  proof  of  the  strugglings  of  a  sanc- 
tified soul.  Though  the  poor  heart  may  cry  out,  '  I  a  saint,  I  a 
member  of  the  Holy  Jesus,  I  a  child  of  God  I  O,  surely  it  cannot  be. 
If  so,  Avhy  am  I  thus  ?'  Know,  O  soul,  that  it  pleased  the  Father 
that  all  fulness  of  grace  should  dwell  in  Jesus.  He  suffered  thy  fall 
into  this  state  that  he  might  raise  thee  by  Jesus  ;  and  Jie  is  pleased 
to  leave  thy  sinful  nature  vile  and  corrupt  "as  he  found  it,  until  it 
shall  be  "sown  a  vile  body."  Thou  art  like  Rebekah  groaning  and 
waiting  to  be  delivered.  Suffice  it,  that  thou  live  by  faith  in  Jesus  ; 
«  wai-t  in  hope  for  the  adoption,  namely,  the  redemption  of  our  body," 
Rom.  viii.  23.  Know  thou  art  called  in  love,  daily  to  "•  put  off  the 
old  man  with  his  deeds — to  mortify  the  flesh  with  its  affections  and 
lusts."  But  yet  always  to  reckon  thyself  after  Christ,  in  thy  new 
^tate,  possessed  of  perfect  righteousness  and  true  holiness.  Ever 
accepted  in  him,  God's  beloved  Son  ;  thy  beloved  head,  surety,  and 
Saviour:  in  him  ever  acceptable  to  thy  God.  Thus  the  Lord  thy  God 
ever  delights  in  thee,  and  rtjoiceth  over  thee ;  sees  no  spot  of  t=in,  but 
adorned  with  perfect  beauty.  Such  are  the  glorious  views  of  faith,  in 
opposition  to  all  sense  and  feeling.  So,  shortly  shalt  thou  be  pre- 
sented to  the  F.ithcr  by  Jesus,  perfectly  holy  and  without  blemish, 
<«  not  haVing  spot  or  wrinkle,  or  any  such  thing,"  Eph.  v.  26. 


SEPTEMBER  11.  267 

We  know  that  if  our  earthly  house  of  this  tabernacle  were 
dissolved,  we  have  a  building  of  God,  an  house  not  made 
tvith  hands y  eternal  in  the  heavens. — 2  Cor.  v.  1. 

It  is  the  grand  device  of  that  arch-dcccivcr,  satun,  to  represent 
the  religion  of  Jesus  as  tending  to  melancholy,  gloom,  and  sadness; 
but  daily  experience  proves  the  reverse ;  for  under  a  sense  of  a  crazy, 
disordered  body,  from  views  of  its  approaching  dissolution,  with 
thoughts  of  its  being  shortly  committed  to  the  silent  grave,  who  can 
put  on  an  air  of  composure,  joy,  and  delight,  except  the  christian  ? 
Who  such  cause  for  continual  felicity,  as  he  who  knows  his  lease  is 
well  nigh  expired  of  his  present  house,  that  shortly  it  is  to  be  pull- 
ed down  ;  but  yet,  through  the  kindness  and  love  of  his  4ieavcnly 
Father,  a  free  grant  of  his  eternal  inheritance  is  gven  him,  "of  a 
house  not  made  with  hands?"  What  comfort  must  it  yield  to  him 
to  k-noiv  the  nature  of  the  purchase,  the  certainty  of  its  being  obtained, 
the  price  fully  paid,  the  deeds  signed  and  sealed,  the  conveyance 
legally  made,  his  trust'.'e,  Jesus,  actually  being  in  possession;  yea  and 
"  tlic  earnest  of  his  inheritance  in  his  heart,  by  the  Holy  Ghost  given 
xmto  him  :"  O,  the  in  expressible  joy  of  this  knowledge  !  All  this  we 
assuredly  know  by  fdtli.  Come,  my  brother  mortal,  is  thy  house 
like  mine,  ruined,  crazy,  and  just  ready  to  fall  ?  O,  let  us  daily  be 
looking  by  faith,  from  Pisgah's  top  to  the  promised  inheritance. 
Let  us  daily  consider  our  approaching  dissolution,  that  our  hearts 
may  more  and  more  love  and  live  with  our  dear  Saviour,  who  has  told 
us,  "  I  go  to  prepare  a  place  for  you,  I  will  come  again  to  receive 
you  to  myself:  where  I  am,  there  shall  you  be  also,"  John  xiv.  2,  3. 
Vain  and  trifling  is  all  this  perishing  world  has  to  offer,  compared 
with  the  glory  which  shall  shortly  be  re'vealed  in  us  ;  yea,  not  to  be 
set  in  competition  with  the  grace  that  is  now  upon  us.  And  what 
can  deprive  such  an  heir  of  his  inheritance  ?  Shall  sin  ?  No  ;  that  is 
fully  atoned  by  the  blood  of  Jesus.  Shall  the  world  ?  No  ;  he  hath 
victory  over  that,  by  the  fiuth  of  Jesus.  Shall  satan  ?  No;  the 
"  God  of  peace  will  bruise  satan  under  his  feet  shortly,"  Rom.  xvi. 
20.  Shall  the  corruptions  of  his  nature  and  the  workings  of  unbe- 
lief ?  These  may  distress  and  make  him  groan  ;  may  deject  with 
doubts  ;  but  shall  not  disinherit.  For  unbelief  also  is  included  in  that 
precious  promise,  "  Sin  shall  not  have  dominion  over  you,  for  ye  are 
under  grace,"  Rom.  vi.  14.  And  all  such  are  "  kept  by  tlic  po\ver 
of  God  through  faith  unto  salvation." 

Tlierc  is  a  house  not  made  -» itli  hands.  Shortly  tliis  prison  of  my  clay 

Eternal,  and  on  high,  Must  he  dissoIvM  aii<I  fall ; 

And  iiere  my  spirit  waiting  stands  Then,  O  my  soul,  « itli  joy  obcjr 

Till  God  stall  bid  il  fly.  Thy  hcav'uly  Talher's  «*U. 


268  SEPTEMBER  12. 

They  who  feared  the  Lord,  spake  often  one  to  another; 
the  Lord  hearkened  and  heard  it. — Mai.  iii.  16. 

The  tongue,  though  but  a  little  member,  yet  is  capable  of  being 
employed  to  the  best  services,  or  to  the  worst  purposes.  We  are  as- 
sured he  is  a  perfect  man  who  offends  not  in  word.  He  is  a  man  after 
God's  own  hearf  Avho  prays  daily,  "  Let  the  words  of  my  mouth,  and 
the  meditation  of  my  heart  be  acceptable  in  thy  sight,  O  Lord,  my 
strength,  and  my  Redeemer,"  Psalm  xix.  14.  "Who  is  a  wise 
man  and  endued  with  knowledge  amongst  you  ?  let  him  shew  out  of  a 
good  conversation  his  works  with  meekness  of  wisdom,"  James  iii. 
1 3.  Thus  perfection,  real  godliness,  and  true  wisdom  are  ascribed  to 
our  words  and  conversation.  "  By  thy  words  thou  shalt  be  justified, 
and  by  thy  words  thou  shalt  be  condemned,"  Mutt.  xii.  37.  Most 
weighty  considerations  !  Let  us  take  heed  that  we  offend  not  with  our 
tongue.  But  most  encouraging  assurance,  our  God  hearkens  to  his 
dear  children  when  we  converse  together  about  his  kingdom  and  glo- 
ry, and  our  peace,  edification,  and  holiness.  Yea  more  :  O  conde- 
scending love  !  "  A  book  of  remembrance  was  written  before  him  of 
them  who  feared  the  Lord,  and  thought  upon  his  name."  Is  such  kind 
notice  taken  of  our  converse  ?  Then  what  cumulation  ought  to  fire  us, 
that  our  tongues  may  edify  and  provoke  each  other  Xp  love  and  good 
works  !  What  shame  to  christians,  that  they  too  often  meet  and  talk, 
and  their  poor  hearts  are  neither  edified,  warmed,  or  comforted  ! 
Why  is  thi*>  ?  Truly  the  end  of  their  conversation,  "  Jesus  the  same 
yesterday,  to-day,  and  for  ever,"  was  not  considered.  He  is  alwavs 
most  worthy  to  be  uppermost  in  our  hearts  and  tongues.  This,  like 
a  live  coal  from  the  altar,  is  the  only  fire  to  make  cold  hearts  glow 
with  love,  and  warm  hearts  burn  with  affection.  The  best  news  of 
the  day,  the  fittest  subject  for  conversation,  is  the  rich,  free,  sove- 
reign grace  of  our  God,  the  love  of  Christ,  the  glad  tidings  of  the 
gospel,  the  joyful  news  of  salvation  finished  by  Jesus.  This  we  are 
going  fully  to  enjoy.  What  then  should  we  talk  of  by  the  way  but 
this  ?  O  disciple,  dost  thou  fiiid  a  dull  frame  and  a  sad  heart?  there- 
fore, saycst,  I  am  unfit  to  converse  of  these  things  ?  This  is  really 
like  staying  from  the  fire,  because  cold,  or  abstaining  from  food, 
because  hungry.  Consider  the  conduct  of  the  disciples.  "  Jesus 
drew  near  to  them,  and  asks,  what  manner  of  conjmunications  arc 
theSe  that  ye  have  one  to  another,  asye  wuik,  and  arc  sad  ?"  Luke 
xxiv.  1 7.  Though  they  had  lost  sight  of  Jesus,  though  their  hearts 
were  sad  about  it,  yet  they  refrained  not  talking  and  communing 
about  him.  And  he  soon  made  4lu-ir  hearts  burn  within  them. 
"  Let  your  conversation  be  as  becometh  the  gospel  of  Christ-"  Phil, 
i.  27.   . 


SEPTEMBER  13.  269 

Twill  allure  her,  and  briiig  her  into  the  rvilderness,  and 
speak  comfortably  unto  her. — Hosca.  ii.  14.. 

Carnal  ease  begets  spiritual  sloth.  Outwivvd  prosperity  ofica 
brings  leanness  of  soul.'  Worldly  joys,  vain  pleasures,  and  sensual 
gratifications,  are  contrary  to  the  spiritual  delights,  holy  comforts, 
and  godly  conversation  of  the  soul.  Of  this  observation  we  have 
awful  evidence.  Woeful  experience  proves  it.  It  is  seldom  seen 
that  the  church  of  Christ  in  general,  or  individual  members  thrive 
and  prosper  m  soul,  when  all  without  is  easy,  prosperous,  aiid  joyful 
to  the  flesh.  Like  "  Jcshui'un,  we  wax  fat  and  kick,  forsake  God, 
and  lightly  esteem  the  rock  of  oui'  salvation,"  Deut.  xxxii.  15. 

But  the  head  of  his  church,  ever  jealous  for  his  own  glory,  ever 
watchful  ill  love  over  his  own  members,  will  not  suffer  them  to  perish 
with  a  surfeit  from  worldly  kindness.  Tiity  shall  rather  bleed  by  the 
loving  stroke  of  his  hand,  than  fall  a  sacrifice  to  the  world  and  the 
flesh.     Earthly  plants  droop  and  wither  by  too  great  heat  from  the 
sun  :  so  spiritual  plants  hang  their  hei^ds  and  decline  under  the  warm 
sunshine  of  prosperity.     "  But,"  saiih  the  Lord,  who  delights  in  the 
spiritual  prosperity  of  his  people,  "  I  will  allure  them  to  myself;  I 
will  persuade  of  the  evil  of  fcrrsaking  me,  tlie  fountahi  of   living 
waters,  and  hewing  out  to  tliemselves  broken  cisterns  that  will  hold 
no  water."     The  world,  with  all  its  gaudy  show  and  glittering  vani- 
ties, I  will  persuade  them  from.     I  will  allure  to  myself  the  fountain 
of  roal  happiness,  the  source  of  solid  comfort,  the  centre  of  all  felicity. 
The  Saviour,  who  was  led  into  the  wilder::ess  to  be  tempted  for  the 
soul,  will  lead  the  soul  into  the  wilaerness  to  wean  it  fiom  its  carnal 
dclighcs.     In  a  solitary,  desolate  wilderness,  there  is  nothing  grows 
to  please  the  flesh,  but  all  is  irksome*  and  disagreeable  to  nature. 
Here  no  path  to  direct  from  danger  and  invite  to  Sciety  is  found. 
Here  wild  beasts  of  prey  roam.     Here  the  welcome  footsteps  of  the 
traveller  cannot  be  traced.     Here  nought  but  dreary  dread  and  con- 
stant fears  haunt  the  mind.     Just  so  is  a  wilderness-state  of  soul ; 
O,  what  fears  and  sorrows  pursue  it !  How  perplexed  about  the  way, 
from  danger  to  safety  !  How  gloomy,  sad,  and  dejected  is  the  heart ! 
O,  in  such  a  state  how  ready  th.e  soul  to  hear !  O,  how  doth  God 
there  teach  the  soul  the  profitable  lesson  of  consideration  !  Former 
follies  are  reflected  on  with  shame,  past  conduct  is  mourned  over, 
worldly  objects  rejected  with  contempt,  the  soul  brought  again  to 
thirst  after  God ;  Jesus  and  salvation  becomes  its  cry  again.     O, 
that  it  were  with  me  as  in  months  past !  This  is  right.    The  Saviour 
loves  to  hear  his  members  thus  bemoaning  themselves.     Then  is 
their  ear  open,  and  their  heart  atttentive  to  hib  voice ;  and  he  will 
speak,  not  what  she  deserves,  wrath  ;  but  comfortably  unto  her  heart; 
"  Fear  not,  I  am  thy  God,  and  thy  great  sah'ation." 
Vol.  I.  Kk 


270  SEPTEMBER  14. 

And  they  shall  teach  no  more  every  man  his  neighbour, 
and  every  man  his  brother^  saying,  Knoiv  the  Lord:  for 
they  shall  all  know  me,  from  the  least  of  them  unto  the 

greatest  of  them,  saith  the  Lord. — Jcr.  xxxi.  34. 

1'he  outward  teaching  of  the  word  is  to  be  prized.  Diligent 
attendance  on  gospel-preaching  is  by  no  means  to  be  neglected. 
Faithful  ministers  of  Jesus  are  to  be  esteemed  highly  in  love  for  their 
works'  sake.  Christian  conversation  is  to  be  valued  :  none  of  these 
are  here  spoken  against  by  our  Lord.  No  ;  his  appointing  teachers, 
the  Spirit's  owning  and  blessing  the  word  by  them  to  the  instruction 
and  conversion  of  souls,  plainly  prove  the  contrary.  But  Jesus,  the 
substance,  being  come,  teaching  by  types  and  shadows  should  be  no 
more.  Men  shall  not  teach  one  another  by  pretended  revelations  : 
but  the  muiistration  of  the  Spirit  should  take  place  of  the  ministration 
of  the  letter.  Such  should  be  the  effusion  of  the  Spirit  after  the 
ascension  of  Jesus  ;  that  he  should  enlighten  with  his  power  and 
teacli  with  his  energy  all  the  children  of  God.  Lvery  believer  in 
Jesus  has  this  unction  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  which  teacheth  him  all 
things — I  John  ii.  20.  Hence  the  babe  in  Christ,  as  well  as  the 
father,  is  taught  by  the  same  divine  Lord  to  know  Jesus  as  the  only 
and  alone  Saviour,  the  virtue  of  his  precious  blood,  the  perfection  of 
his  atonement,  the  glory  of  his  righteousness,  and  the  completeness 
of  his  salvation  ;  taught  to  believe  in  his  blessed  name,  and  love  his 
adorable  person.  O  believer,,  is  this  absolute^  declaration,  "  they 
shall  all  know  me,"  thy  mercy  ?  Jehovah  speaks  with  the  voice  of 
omnipotence.  The  Lord  effects  by  the  power  of  his  sovereignty. 
They  shall  all  know  me  :  are  all  men  thus  taught  of  God  ?  Uo  all 
men  know  the  Lord  ?  We  cannot  say  so-  We  dare  not  think  so. 
The  contrary  is  too  evident.  This  teacliing,  this  knowledge,  is  not 
general  and  universal,  but  special  and  peculiar  to  God's  people  07ily. 
Therefore  his  grace  proved  effectual  to  thy  calling,  thy  teaching. 
How  vain,,  how  fruitless  would  all  other  teachers  have  proved  ! 
but  the  work  is  his,  the  comfort  thine.  Ever  reflect  on  the  pride  of 
thy  nature,  the  obstinacy  of  thy  will,  the  blindness  of  thy  understand- 
ing, the  desperate  wickedness  and  unbelief  of  thy  heart,  and  bow  to 
his  sovereignty.  Give  the  Spirit  all  the  glory  for  what  thou  know- 
est  of  Jesus  as  thy  hope  and  salvation.  Now  there  is  an  essential 
diffelrencc  between  believing  and  knowing.  All  men  believe  there 
is  a  God.  But  to  know  God  is  peculiar  to  regenerate  souls.  And 
this  is  the  comforting  criterion,  lo  know  him  as  our  own  sin-forgiv- 
ing God  :  for  he  adds,  "I  will  forgive  their  iniquity  ;  1  will  remem- 
ber their  sin  no  more." 
We  bless  the  proplict  of  the  Lord  Hosanna  to  thy  glorious  name, 

I'liiit  comes  witli  truth  and  grace  :  Who  caii'd  us  b)  ihy  grace  ; 

Jesus,  thy  ijpu'it  and  thy  word  Thy  mei-cics  lay  a  sov'rejgii  claim 

Doth  leacli  us  iu  tliy  ways.  To  our  iiuiaortal  i)iiuse. 


SEPTEMBER  15.  271 

Ab  ma7i  having"  put  his  hand  to  the  plough,  and  looking 
back.,  i^  jit  for  the  kingdom  of  God. — Luke.  ix.  62. 
The  eye,  though  a  little  member,  yet  pei  lu-ps  of  all  otiicis  is 
the  greatest  inlet  to  teraptution.  The  first  motion  to  sin  entered  by 
seeing.  Eve  savo  the  fruit  was  good  und  pleasant  to  the  eye.  Look- 
ing begat  longing ;  so  lust  was  conceived,  and  brought  ioi  ili  bin. 
Sin  when  it  was  finished  brought  forth  death  upon  and  ail  In  r  pos- 
terity. When  satan  dared  to  tempt  Jesus,  he  begaii  the  allLxk  by 
presenting  to  his  view  the  kingdoms  of  tlie  world  and  the  g,lorics 
thereof.  Seeing  this,  what  reason  is  there,  with  Job.  to  make  a  cov- 
enant with  our  eyes  I  with  David,  to  pray  daily,  "  Turn  away  mine 
eyes  from  beholding  vanity  !"  No  state  more  awful  than  Jo  set  out 
in  the  best  cf.use,  and  to  turn  buck  for  the  worst  enemy.  The  last 
end  of  such  is  most  dreadful.  Most  deplorable  indeed,  to  turn  away 
from  following  Jesus,  and  make  shipwreck  of  faith  and  a  good  con- 
science. 

Whether  he  be  minister  or  disciple  who  hath  put  his  hand  to  the 
gospel-plough,  if  his  eyes  are  attracted  to,  and  his  heart  allured  after 
the  lust  of  the  flesh,  the  lust  of  the  eye,  and  the  pride  of  life,  these 
will  render  him  unfit  for  the  Jiingdom  of  God.  For  these  are  as 
contrary  to  the  Sjiirit,  frame,  and  genius  of  Jesus  and  his  kingdom, 
as  heaven  is  to  hell.  No  man  can  serve  two  such  opposite  masters. 
If  thou  hast  chosen  Jesus  for  thy  portion  and  thy  all,  wherefore  dost 
thou  look  back  to  the  world  ?  What  slight  and  contempt  doth  such  a 
conduct  pour  upon  blessed  Jesus  1  It  is  a  sad  evidence  the  heart  is 
not  whole  with  him.  Such  conduct  speaks  loudly,  as  though  there 
was  somewhat  desirable  in  Christ  and  his  ways  ;  but  not  enough  to 
win  the  heart  wholly,  engage  the  affvctions  entirely,  and  fill  thfl 
mind  with  happiness  completely.  "  If  iuiy  man  draw  back,  my 
soul,  saith  the  Lord,  shall  have  no  pleasure  in  him."  And  verily 
such  a  soul  can  have  no  pleasure  in  God.  Wliither  then  will  he 
fly  ?  to  what  refuge  betake  himself  in  the  hour  of  calamity,  and  in 
the  day  of  distress  ?  Oh  !  a  forsaken  Jesus,  a  slighted  gospel,  and 
neglected  salvation,  will  wound  the  conscience  with  the  keencs) 
sting.  See  to  it,  O  professor  ;  watch  over  thy  lustful  eye.  It  is  cvei 
looking  back  to,  .and  longing  after  more  from  this  world  than  thou  at 
present  possesseth.  O,  bev/are  of  tliy  deceitful  heart,  lest  that,  turn- 
eth  from  Jesus  to  the  world.  If  so,  thy  hand  will  soon  let  go  the 
gospel-plough  :  and  yet  you  will  find  carnal  pleas  for  your  conduct. 
Many  poor,  dry,  barren  professors,  have  ever  a  reason  (such  as  it  is] 
at  their  tongues-end  for  their  covetous,  worldly-minded  spirit :  when 
it  is  easy  to  observe,  like  Lot's  wife,  they  face  about  to  Sodom,  and 
arc  become  -a  standing  monument  of  (iod's  displeasure.  *'  But," 
saith  the  apostle,  of  all  the  faithful  members  of  Jesus,  «  beloved,  we 
are  persuaded  better  things  of  you,  and  things  that  accomp;iny  salva- 
tion, though  we  thus  speak,"  Ileb.  vi.  9. 


272  SEPTEMBER  16. 

Search  the  scriptures  ;  for  in  them  ye  think  ye  have  eternal 
life,  and  they  are  they  which  testify  of  me. — John  v.  39. 

It  was  an  excellent  reply  of  a  christian  lady  to  a  scoffing  infidel, 
who  vented  profane  banter  upon  the  scriptures,  and  asked,  What 
proof  she  could  give  of  the  truth  of  holy  writ  ?  '  Yourself,  Sir, 
said  she,  'is  one;'  for  it  is  written,  "There  shall  come  in  the  last 
days  scoffers,  walking  after  their  own  lusts,"  2  Pet.  iii.  3.  Even 
satan,  when  he  tempted  our  Lord,  though  he  dared  to  pervert,  yet 
he  never  once  attempted  to  deny  hcly  scripture  to  be  the  truths  of 
God.  Shame  to  professors  who  are  ignorant  of  God's  word.  For 
Jesus  and  eternal  life  are  revealed  therein.  Even  devils,  who  have 
no  hope  from  the  scriptures,  seem  well  versed  in  them.  But  may 
not  Jonadab's  question  to  Amnon  be  put  even  to  some  of  God's  chil- 
dren, "  Why  art  thou,  being  a  king's  son,  lean  from  day  to  day  ?" 
2  Sum.  xiii.  4.  I^eanness  of  soul  comes  on  many  through  neglecting 
the  nourishing  truths  of  God's  word.  It  is  the  rich  feast  of  the  Fa- 
ther's love.  By  it  the  soul  is  fed  and  nourished  up  to  eternal  life. 
Verily,  when  we  lose  our  appetite  for  tlie  scriptures,  and  they  are  not 
savoury  food  to  us,  it  is  because  our  souls  arc  distempered. 

«  They  testify  of  me,"  saith  Jesus.  Is  not  that  word  enough  ? 
What  so  sweetly,  so  powerfully  enp;aging  to  the  soul,  as  when  some- 
what of  our  dear  Saviour  is  to  be  learned  from  every  page  ?  The 
more  we  are  acquainted  with  his  precious  person,  his  amazing  love, 
his  wonderful  humility,  his  astcMiisliing  suffermgs,  his  finished  work 
on  earth,  so  much  the  more  will  lie  be  endeared  in  our  hearts.  We 
.shall  prize  the  word  that  testifies  of  him,  and  the  Spirit  that  glorifies 
him  :  we  shall  think  of  him,  love  him,  live  upon  him,  live  to  him, 
long  to  be  with  him  from  day  to  day.  So  we  shall  beguile  all  our 
troubles  and  trials  below  ;  our  hearts  will  be  simple  and  happy  ;  our 
conversation  and  conduct  will  be  more  like  the  meek  Lamb  of  God. 
Thus  shall  we  grow  as  Pharaoh's  "  kine,  fat-fleshed  and  well-favored, 
while  we  feed  in  God's  meadow,"  Gen.  xli.  18.  If  we  neglect  the 
scriptures  that  testify  of  Jesus,  no  marvel  if  we  enjoy  not  the  com- 
fort of  the  Spirit's  witness  of  Jesus.  Says  Luther,  '  Let  tlie  Lord 
take  me  out  of  life  this  hour,  or  when  it  pleascth  him,  I  leave  this 
behind  me,  I  will  own  Jesus  Christ  for  my  Lord  and  my  God.  This 
I  have  not  only  out  of  the  scriptures,  but  by  manifold  experience 
alsoj'^for  the  name  Jesus  hath  often  helped  and  comforted  me,  when 
no  creature  could.'  "  Holy  scriptures  are  able  to  make  us  wise  unto 
salvation,  through  faith,  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus,"  2  Tim.  iii.  15. 

Grent  Gotl !  mine  eyes  m  illi  pTeasure  look,  Let  the  false  raptures  of  the  mind, 
On  the  <lo«r  vohime  of  tliy  hook  ;  Be  lost  and  vanislicd  iii  the  wind : 

There  mvlledeemer'sface  I  see.  Here  I  can  fix  my  hope  secure  ; 

And  read  his  name  wlio  d v'd  for  mc.  Tliis  is  tliy  word  and  must  endure. 


SEPTEMBER  IV.  273 

Ye  arc  come  to  Jesus  the  Mediator  of  the  nexv  covenant y 
and  to  the  blood  of  sprinkling. — Heb.  xii.  24. 

When  from  zeal  and  affection  for  their  beloved  master,  the 
disciples  would  have  called  for  fire  from  heaven,  "  He  rebuked  them, 
saying,  Ye  know  not  what  manner  of  spirit  ye  are  of."  In  young  dis- 
ciples there  is  often  much  heat  of  zeal  which  is  not  according  to  know- 
ledge ;  they  know  but  little  what  evils  they  are  called  from,  and  what 
privileges  they  are  come  to.  It  behoves  all  to  be  diligent  in  reading, 
hearing,  and  studying,  the  truths  of  Jesus.  So  the  Spirit  makes 
wise  heads  and  joyful  hearts.  To  see,  taste,  and  feel  somewhat  of 
Jesus  from  the  law,  the  types  and  figures,  the  prophesies,  promises, 
and  the  gospel,  is  the  chief  concern  of  simple  souls  ;  so  their  hearts 
are  daily  more  and  more  established  in  faith  ;  and  itiey  know  iiiore 
assuredly  that  they  are  really  come  to  Jesus.  Wiicn  we  read  of 
Moses  sprinkling  the  people,  and  ci7ing  out,  "  Behold  the  blood  of 
the  covenant,''  Exod.  xxiv.  8 — this  co'nfortably  reminds  us  of  the 
pardon  of  sin  by  the  precious  blood  of  the  dear  Lamb  ;  and  how 
the  sprinkling  of  this  blood  purifies  the  heart  from  sin,  ui>d  uie  coii- 
Sicience  from  guilt,  by  faith. 

The  acceptable  sacrifice  of  Abel,  by  which  he  obtained  witness 
that  he  was  righteous,  brings  to  our  minds  the  most  exci  llcnt  sacri- 
fice of  our  dear  Saviour.  This  speaks  righteousness,  peace,  love, 
and  salvation  to  our  souls  ;  this  silences  all  guilty  fears  ;  this  revives 
and  comforts  drooping,  trembling  hearts,  knowing  that  Jesus  is  our 
dear  and  ever-loving  Mediator  before  the  throne.  This  gives  bold- 
ness and  confidence  of  free  access  to  God,  cind  freedom  of  heart  lo 
draw  nigh  to,  love  him,  and  rejoice  in  him.  \Vhatcvcr  our  various 
cases,  frames,  and  circumstances  are,  dur  only  wisdom  and  comfort 
lies  in  simply  commi^nding  .  11  to  Jesus,  knowing  tliat  we  are  come 
to  him,  and  live  comforUbiy,  by  daily  coming  to  him.  Is  sin  our 
sorrow,  grief,  and  burden?  Jesus  has  a  plea  for  it ;  he  does  not 
extenuate  or  excuse  it.  Nor  should  we  ;  but  confess  it  with  all  its 
aggravations  :  his  blood  speaks  before  the  tuvone  ;  t!;e  Spirit  bears 
witness  to  it.  When  the  voice  of  sin  luid  terror  is  heard  in  thy  con- 
science, Christ's  blood  speaks  pardon  from  God,  freedom  from  con- 
demnation, peace  of  conscience,  joy  of  heart,  and  a  hope  full  of 
immortality.  Happy  to  be  come  to  Jesus,  and  joyful  to  believe  in 
him  as  our  Mediator.  O,  how  full  of  the  richest  consolaiion  is  this 
v.ord  ?  «  If  we  confess  our  sins,  God  is  fuiihful  ajul  just  to  forgive  us 
our  sins,  and  to  cleanse  us  from  all  unrighteousness,"   1  John  i.  P. 

Our  Jfsus  callM  ami  bade  us  come  Clirist  is  o>ir  !\f cdiator  dear 

To  him  for  ease  and  rest ;  Before  tJie  Uironc  of  (jod  : 

Our  souls  obcy'd  liis  heav'nly  voice,  Our  conscience  f.nds  sw  nt  [cacc  •*  \\\i  liim 

And  \vc  iu  him  arc  blest.  Now  si)rinklc'l  « i'.h  his  blood. 


274  SEPTEMBER  18. 

My  little  children,  of  whom  I  travail  in  birth  again  imtil 
Christ  be  formed  in  7J0U — Gal.  iv.  19. 

Many  sincere  disciples,  who  are  convinced  of  sin,  hope  in 
themselves  cut  off,  and  have  fled  to  Jesus  for  refuge,  are  often  dis- 
tressed because  they  have  not  Ijeen  under  such  dreadful  terrors  of 
legal  wrath  which  others  talk  of,  and  are  mistaken  for  the  pangs  and 
travail  of  the  new  birth.  But  there  is  no  authority  from  scripture  to 
conclude  we  must  have  such  great  terrors  of  hell  and  damnation  ere 
we  come  to  and  believe  on  Christ.  Nay,  the  law  may  work  great 
wrath  in  the  conscience,  and  yet  the  soul  never  be  converted  to 
Jesus  and  the  holiness  of  the  gospel.  The  Spirit  is  a  sovereign  agent. 
Enlightened,  convinced  souls  are  differently  wrought  on  ;  some  feel 
more,  others  less  terror;  but  each  see  the  sinfulness  of  shi,  their  lost 
state  by  nature,  the  spirituality  of  the  law  <ind  the  preciousness  of 
Jesus,  before  they  will  come  to  him.  On  such  the  dear  Saviour 
"sees  the  travail  of  his  soul,  and  is  satisfied,"  Isa.  liii.  11.  Zion, 
the  church,  in  her  living  members,  travails  in  faith  and  prayer,  and 
by  her,  as  the  mother,  children  are  brought  forth,  Isa.  Ixvi.  8. 
Ministers,  in  their  pjinful  Libours  and  endeavours,  travail  that  souls 
may  be  born  to  Jesus. 

Thus  laborious  and  afTcctionate  Paul  travailed  in  birth  again  for 
the  apostatizing  Galatians.  He  had  been  in  pain  for  them  till  they 
were  brought  forth  at  first  as  a  holy  seed  in  their  conversion  to 
Jesus;  but  now  his  soul  v/as  pained  at  their  turning  back  again  to 
the  law.  Children  of  God,  though  little  in  knowledge,  and  weak 
'  in  faith,  are  as  dear  to  Jesus  as  adult  christians  :  so  are  they  to  his 
faithful  ministers.  But  they  are  fearful  of  believing  too  much  in, 
and  trusting  too  much  on,  the  finished  work  of  Jesus.  Their  poor 
Irgal  hearts  are  CA^er,  now  and  then,  looking,  to  the  law,  and  leaning 
to  something  of  their  own  ;  but  the  Spirit  will  not  leaA'e  such  to  abide 
in  a  feeble,  hifinite  state.  Ministers-  labour  and  travail  for  their 
growth  in  grace,  by  the  knowledge  of  Jesus  :  the  gracious  Spirit,  by 
the  word,  forms  Christ  more  perfectly  in  them  ;  he  increases  more 
perfect  knowledge  of  his  finished  salvation,  in  the  full  atonement  of 
his  blood,  the  perfection  of  his  righteousness,  and  the  prcvalency  of 
his  intercession  for  their  justification  and  acceptance  with  God  :  and 
alsojn  their  sanctification,  -he  more  perfectly  forms  the  image  of 
Christ  in  them,  as  to  the  disposition  of  their  hearts  sind  conformity 
of  their  lives.  "  We  are  changed  into  their  image  by  the  Spirit  of 
the  Lord,"  2  Cor.  iii.    18. 

filor)'tofioi1  tlip  Sjiirit  give,  Dcnr  L9nl,  (lioii  Spirit.,  vitli  us  stay, 
From  v/l«oscalmiglity  pow'r,  Anil  let  ns  not  Dice  grieve  ; 

Our  souls  their  licav'nly  hirtli  derive,  O,  guide  us  tliro'  nui"  desert  Nvay, 
And  bless  tlie  happy  hour.  And  never,  never  leave. 


SEPTExMBER  19.  275 

Jesus  said   unto  him,     JF/ierefore  didst  thou  doubt  ? — 
Matt.  xiv.  31. 

The  best  of  men  are  but  men  at  the  best.  The  most  eminent 
saints  of  God  have  experienced  doubting,  fearful  fiames,  as  well  as 
believing,  joyful  ones.  We  have  many  instances  of  this  in  the  bold 
and  courageous  Peter.  Now,  at  the  command  of  his  master,  we 
behold  him  w;ilking  safely  on  the  surface  of  the  great  deep.  Here  he 
honored  his  master's  word,  was  very  safe  and  comfortable  while  he 
believed  his  power.  To  see  Peter  wi.lldng  upon  the  liquid  ocean, 
is  not  more  beyond  the  power  of  reason  to  comprehend  and  account 
far,  than  to  see  a  poor  sinner  comfortably  living  and  walking  by  faith 
on  the  Son  of  God,  in  spite  of  all  the  raging  waves  of  unbelief,  lust, 
and  corruptions. 

But  as  it  was  with  Peter,  so  it  is  often  with  the  believer.  The 
workings  of  Peter's  naturJ  senses,  the  suggestions  of  his  canial 
reason,  opposed  the  actings  of  his  faith;  he  heard  the  roaring  winds, 
he  saw  the  boisterous  waves,  he  considered  the  bulk  and  weight  of 
his  body,  and  then,  up  reason,  down  faith.  Reason  assures  him 
fluid  water  cannot  support  him.  Hence  he  doul)ts,  he  fears,  he 
sinks.  So  the  poor  sinner,  who  hath  heard  the  hiviting  voice  of 
Jesus,  and  obeyed  the  word  of  his  grace,  to  believe  on  him,  walks 
sweetly  and  comfortably  for  a  season  ;  but  anon,  corruptions  like  the 
surging  billows,  lift  up  their  threatening  heads  ;  temptations,  like 
the  stormy  wind,  blow  violently  upon  him  ;  the  thundcrings  of  a  fiery- 
law  are  heard;  he  thinks  incensed  justice  pursues  him,  and  tliat  the 
face  of  majesty  looks  stren  upon  him.  Hence  he  reasons  upon 
what  he  .is,  what  he  has  done,  and  what  he  may  expect ;  and  all  in 
nature,  sense,  and  feeling  is  against  hjm.  O  then,  he  doubts'  in 
his  mind  and  sinks  in  his  spirit  1  But  when  he  reflects,  Jesus  is  above 
all,  he  is  mighty  to  save  ;  tlien,  seeing  all  hope  in  him,  and  none 
beside  him,  he  cries,  "  Lord  save,  or  I  perish."  This  is  right. 
Our  Saviour  loves  to  hear  his  poor  disciples  cry  to  him.  He  is  near 
them,  and,  as  Peter  was,  they  are  always  within  the  reach  of  his 
arm.  He  loves  their  persons,  approves  their  crying,  but  reproves 
their  doubting.  Wherefore  didst  thou  doubt?  Though  thy  sins 
have  reached  to  heaven,  yet  my  blood  is  before  the  throne.  Who 
shall  lay  any  thing  to  thy  charge  ?  It  is  God  that  justifleth,  who  shall 
condemn  thee  ?  I  have  died,  what  shall  destroy  thee,  seeing  I  iun 
able  to  save  to  the  very  utteiniost  ? — Verily,  O  Jtsu,  to  the  poor 
and  needy  in  their  distress,  thou  art  a  refuge  from  the  storm,  Isa. 
XXV.  4. 

Wlmt  flin'  the  host  of  dcatli  find  liell,  A  friend  and  li-iJpcr  so  divine, 

All  :ii-njM  asjftinst  me  stood.  Docs  my  wc.nk  courage  raise  ; 

Why  siiotdd  theii-  terrors  shake  roy  soul  ?  He  mnkes  tlie  glorious  vict'iy  mine, 

My  refujjc  is  my  (iod.  And  his  sliall  be  the  praise. 


276  SEPTEMBER  20. 

Jfye  know  these  things,  happy  are  ye  if  ye  do  them,-— 
John  xiii.   17. 

Jesus  is  a  pvopliCt  to  teach,  a  priest  to  atone,  and  a  king  to 
reign  by  love  in  the  hearts  of  all  his  subjects.  So  a  christian  receives 
the  Lord  Jesus.  Faith  in  him  begets  an  ear  of  love  to  his  doctrine, 
and  a  heart  of  obedience  to  his  commands.  Let  no  one  call  evangel- 
ical obedience,  legal  bondage.  For  every  precept  that  drops  from 
the  mouth  of  Jesus,  flows  from  love  to  us.  When  he  saith,  "  Do 
this  ;"  it  is  for  thy  happiness  and  good,  O  soul.  "  Avoid  that ;"  love 
is  careful  of  thee,  "  Do  thyself  no  harm."  This  is  pleasant  to  the 
renevi'ed  soul  to  hear,  his  happiness  to  obey.  Faith  in  Jesus  makes 
all  things  easy.  "  His  commandments  are  not  grievous."  To  know 
them  is  our  privilege.     To  do  them  is  our  happiness. 

Say,  O  christian,  is  not  this  thy  experience  ?  Art  thou  not  happy 
in  doing  the  will  of  Jesus  who  died  for  our  sins  ?  Art  thou  not  de- 
lighted in  obeying  Jesus,  who  hath  made  peace  between  God  and  thy 
soul  ?  Art  thou  not  joyful  in  glorifying  thy  Father,  by  bringing  forth 
the  fruits  of  righteousness,  which  are  by  Jesus  Christ  ?  Verily  in 
keeping  thy  commandments,  O  Lord,  there  is  gi-eat  rewurd  of  grace  ; 
in  peace  and  happiness  of  soul  now  ;  and  hereafter  such  shall  hear 
that  joyful  sentence  from  our  loving  Saviour,  «  Come  ye  blessed  of 
my  Father,  inherit  the  kingdom  prepared  for  you  from  the  founda- 
tion of  the  world,"  Matt.  xxv.  34.  Then  shall  the  works  of  the 
righteous  be  owned  and  proclaimed  by  the  Judge.  They  are  called 
to  inherit  the  kingdom.  Why  ?  Because  blessed  of  God  the  Father 
with  all  spiritual  blessings  in  Christ  Jesus,  Hci.ce  the  kingdom  is 
prepared  for  them  from  the  foundation  of  the  world.  But  it  consti- 
tutes no  part  of  the  believer's  happiness,  to  do  any  work  whatsoever, 
whereby  to  entitle  himself  to  the  favor  of  God  ;  or  to  make  the  work 
of  salvation  more  effectual  than  the  blood  and  lighteousness  of  the 
Son  of  God  hath.  No;  this  is  to  be  rejected  as  the  vilest  slavery, 
the  worst  of  drudgery;  contrary  to  faith;  inconsistent  with  chris- 
tian love  ;  and  derogatory  to  the  salvation  of  Jesus.  Luther  was 
wont  to  say,  '  if  picking  up  a  straw  would  saje  me,  I  would  not  do 
it ;  it  would  be  an  act  of  unbelief  of  my  dear  Lore' "si  Saivaiion  ;  but 
being  already  saved  by  Jesus,  through  his  grace,  I  woula  go  thj-ough 
fire  and  water  to  obey  his  comir^'fUtds'  Where  Jesus  is  the  life  of 
the^soul,  this  will  be  manifest,  in  obedience  to  his  corimands.  "  Bles- 
sed is  the  man  who  dclighteth  gre^Tiy  in  his  coirvmandments," 
Psalm  cxii.   1 . 

I  liear  thy  word  wiUi  love,  For  ever  anve  thy  promise,  Lord, 
And  I  would  fain  obey  :  Hore  I  securely  trust. 

Send  tiiy  good  Spirit  from  above  Wliile  of  Ihy  v.  orks  1  m.g,       ' 
To  guide  me  lest  I  stray.  -r^y  glor}-  to  I^rocl--^m, 

How  perfect  is  tLy  Avord  !  Accent  (lie  praise,  my  f^^od  and  Kijigj 
And  all  thy  judgments  just.  In  my'Rcdecmer's  name. 


SEPTEMBER  21.  277 

Many  there  he  which  say  of  my  soul,  There  is  no  help  fur 
him  in  God.     Selah. — Psalm  iii.  2. 

Had  David's  foes  said  of  him,  lie  deserves  no  help  from  God  ; 
he  would  readily  huve  owned  this  as  a  great  truth.  As  God's  chil- 
dreaare  comforted  by  the  truth,  so  the  enemy  advances  lies  to  dis- 
tress them.  When  he  attacks  their  faith  and  comfort,  he  holdly 
impeaches  the  love  and  faithfulness  of  their  God.  "  No  help  for  me 
ill  God  !"  O  my  soul,  -wilt  thou  listen  to  this  suggestion  ?  Canst 
thou  indulge  such  a  thought  one  moment  ?  Art  thou  beset  with  dis- 
tress of  soul,  and  surrounded  with  troubles  and  ciiflicullics?  Art  thou 
singing  a  mcluncholy  note  ?  Selah,  saith  David:  pause,  consider  this  ; 
lift  up  thy  mind  to  attend ;  how  dishonorable  to  thy  God,  haw  de- 
structive to  thy  faith,  peace,  love,  and  holiness,  is  this  1  Know  the 
voice  of  thy  enemy.  Hear  the  voice  of  thy  Saviour.  His  word  is 
adi.pted  to  thy  circumstances,  however  distressing  or  desperate. 
♦'Thou  hast  destroyed  thyself!'*  What  is  added  ?  Perish  in  thine 
own  undoings,  take  it  for  thy  pains?  No  :  for  alniighty  love  proclaims 
its  own  triumph  ;  "  But  in  me  is  thuie  help,"  Hos.  xiii.  9. 

"  Man  is  born  to  trouble  as  the  sparks  fly  upward."  When  boiTi 
again  he  finds  more  enemies  and  troubles  than  ever  :  a  sinful  nature 
burdens  him,  carnal  lusts  perplex  him;  satan  tempts  and  accuses  him, 
unbelief  besets  and  dejects  him  ;  but,  most  joyful  truth,  God  is  his 
dear  Father,  Jesus  his  precious  Saviour,  the  holy  Spirit  his  loving 
comforter.  Where  should  the  poor  sinner  look  ?  To  whom  should 
the  exercised,  aillicted  soul  go  ?  Happy  for  him  when  with  David, 
he  goes  with  childlike  simplicity,  and  tells  his  sorrowful  complaints 
to  his  dear  Saviour  ;  "  Lord,  how  are  they  increased  that  trouble 
me  !  Many  rise  up- against  me."  They  say  of  my  soul,  "  There  is 
no  help  for  me  in  God."  The  Saviour  loves  to  hear  his  members* 
complaints  ;  he  delights  to  redress  them.  Thus,  when  driven  from 
all  hope  and  help  from  within  and  without,  then  ihcy  honor  him  iu 
faith  and  prayer.  As  when  the  little  child  is  affrighted  with  lying 
stories,  it  flies  to  the  arms  of  its  father  for  safety,  tells  him  of  its 
fears,  and  thus  its  little  heart  gets  case  ;  so  Duvid  found  it ;  his  ex- 
perienced heart  cries  out,  "  Thou,  O  Lord,  art  a  shield  for  me  ;  my 
glory,  and  the  lifter-«p  of  my  head.  Salvation  bclongeth  unto  the 
Lord  ;  thy  blessing  is  upon  thy  people."  Thus,  though  a  mournfol 
complaint  ushers  in  this  Psalm,  yet  it  concludes  in  the  joy  and  tri-- 
iimph  of  faith.  "  Though  wcepii.g  may  endure  for  a  liight,  yet  joy 
Cometh  in  the  morning,"  Psalm  xxx.  5. 

Tho'  weepitiR  for  a  night  endure,  O,  listen  then  unto  liis  wonl, 

And  focn  distress  my  !>ca>t ;  In  his  sw  cet  luoiuise  tnist : 

Yet  in  the  morniiii:;  joy  is  sure  :  Thy  Iocs  ;l..ill  Act;  before  thy  LorJ, 

Cnr  Savioui- takes  my  part.  ^^'ho  laithl'ul  is  uud  just.                    Af. 

Vol.  L  L  1 


278  SEPTEMBER  22. 

/  beseech  you  therefore,  brethren^  by  the  mercies  of  God, 
that  ye  preserit  your  bodies  a  living  sacrifice,  holy, 
acceptable  unto  God,  which  is  your  reasonable  service — - 
Rom.  xii.  1. 

Just  before  omi-  dear  Saviour  left  his  apostles,  he  gave  them 
this  commission,  "  Preach  the  gospel ;"  glad  tidings  of  the  everlast- 
ing love  and  mercy  of  God,  in  Christ,  to  poor  sinners.  By  this  truth, 
through  the  power  of  the  Spirit,  souls  are  brought  to  repentance, 
faith  and  salvation  ;  and  by  the  sweet  force  and  constraining  influence 
of  the  same  trvith,  believers  are  to  be  exhorted,  animated,  and  stirred 
up  to  glorify  God  in  their  souls  and  bodies  which  are  his.  This  was 
the  apostles'  practice.  With  what  affection  and  love  do  they  address 
the  members  of  Jesus  1  The  sound  of  wrath  and  terror,  the  thunder- 
ines  of  hell  and  damnation  are  not  used  to  soldiers  in  the  camp  of 
Jesus.  No  ;  they  are  exhorted  by  love  and  vicrcy.  So  we  delight 
to  hear :  and  from  these  most  powerful  motives  we  cheerfully  obey. 
\Vc  present  our  bodies  a  living  sacrifice  upon  that  altar  which  conse- 
crates the  gift,  even  Jesus.  We  are  holy  in  him,  acceptable  unto 
God  through  him.  We  own  it  "  our  reasonaljlc  service  ;"  we  are 
not  our  own.  We  acknowledge  it  our  boundcn  duty.  Christ  hath 
bought  us  with  the  price  of  his  own  blood.  Lord,  give  power  to 
obey,  and  command  what  thou  wilt.  Consider,  O  christian,  while 
thy  poor  soul  was  dead  in  trespasses  and  sins,  thy  body  was  a  wretch- 
ed slave  to  the  drudgery  of  Satan  and  thy  vile  lusts.  Now  a  better 
master  demands  its  service.  It  is  of  God's  mercies  in  Christ  thy 
soul  is  quickened,  and  by  the  same  mercies  thou  art  required  to 
yield  thy  body  as  a  living  sacrifice.  It  is  now  the  temple  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  therefore  to  be  consecrated  to  holy  purposes. 

Was  David  so  struck  with  the  distinguishing  favor  of  being  a  king, 
as  to  dance  joyfully  before  thtt  ark  ?-  2  Sam.  vi.  14.  O,  consider  our 
eternal  mercies  in  Christ,  being  kings  and  priests  unto  God  1  Medi- 
tate daily,  hourly  on  this.  How  should  it  affect  our  hearts  with  love, 
raise  our  spirits  in  triumph,  inflame  our  affections  with  zeal  for  God's 
glory  !  Our  spiritual  mercies  arc  not  connnon  to  all.  Carnal  men 
are  ignorant  of,  und  despise  them.  O  study  then  to  approve  your- 
selves as  the  peculiar,  highly  distinguished  favorites  of  heaven.  As 
*^ie  elect  of  God,  be  clothed  with  humility  ;  yet,  as  kings'  sons,  live 
upon  heavenly  food  ;  and  act  as  those  who  dare  not  demean  them- 
selves by  a  practice  below  their  royal  dignity.  "  He  that  saith  he 
abideth  in  Christ,  ought  himself  also  so  to  walk,  even  as  he  walked," 
1  John  ii.  6. 

The  tender  mercies  of  tliy,  God  Tliy  soul  and  body  ofTer  up 

D.iily  recount,  my  soul,  A  ILving  sacrifici , 

O  live  and  spread  liis  praise  iiLvoad,  Holy  to  Mod  thro'  Jesu's love  ; 

WJiile  love  thy  poM'rs  cojutroul.  I.tf  nothing  less  suffice.            JI. 


SEPTEMBER  23.  27J 

Blessed  are  they  which  do  hunger  and  thirst  after  righte- 
ousness ;  for  th(;y  shall  be  filled. — Matt.  v.  G. 

To  thirst  after  luippincss  is  natural.  To  seek  it  from  wronn;  ob- 
jects is  natural.  To  desire  to  escape  a  hcU  of  misery,  ijid  enjoy  a 
place  of  happiness,  is  equally  natural.  If  lliis  may  be  called  salvation, 
all  men  wish  to  be  saved.  The  most  wicked  may  wish  to  "  die  the  dcuth 
of  the  righteous,  and  that  their  last  end  may  be  like  his."  This  evciy 
man  is  capable  of  as  a  rational,  intelligent  being.  And  many  are  sviiv- 
ing  to  make  themselves  righteous  in  order  to  be  saved.  But  to  de- 
sire-salvation in  God's  way,  to  hunger  and  thirst  after  Christ  and  his 
righteousness,  is  peculiar  to  the  quickened  only.  The  dead  hunger 
not.  Spiritual  appetites  spring  from  spiritual  life.  A  natural  man 
can  as  soon  seek  to  fill  his  belly  with  the  cast  wind,  or  allay  his  thirst 
with  the  sun-beams  as  do  this. 

To  know  ourselves  to  be  miserable  sinners,  destitute  of  righteous- 
ness, to  believe  Christ  has  obtained  it  for  us,  and  to  hunger  and  thifbt 
after  it,  this  lies  at  the  foundation  of  true  godliness  ;  this  enters  into 
the  very  essence  of  our  religion.  Such  self-emptied,  hurigry,  and 
thirsty  souls  are  blessed :  for  they  shall  be  filled  ;  filled  v.itli  uli  the 
blessings  of  Jesus'  everlasting  righteousness  ;  acceptance  with  God, 
pardon  of  sins,  and  peace  from  God  ;  filled  with  the  fruits  of  right- 
eousness which  are  by  Jesus  Christ ;  with  all  the  graces  of  God's 
Spirit  on  earth,  and  with  all  the  fulness  of  God  in  glory.  »  This  is 
the  heritage  of  my  servants,  and  their  righteojisncss  is  of  me"  suilli 
precious  Jesus — Isa.  liv.  17.  "  The  skies  pour  down  righteousness, 
tlie  faithful  open  their  hearts  and  receive  it,"  Isa.  xlv.  8.  O,  what 
delightful  fellowship  and  intercourse  subsist  between  heaven  and 
earth;  hungry  souls  and  rigliieous  Jesu5  I  Says  Bishop  Hall,  'if 
Jesus  had  not  said,  "  Blessed  are  tliose  who  hunger,"  I  know  not 
what  could  keep  weak  christians  from  despair.  Many  times,  all  I 
can  do  is  to  find  and  complain  I  want  Jesus ;  I  wish  to  enjoy  him. 
Now  this  is  my  stay,  he  in  mercy  esteems  us,  not  by  having,  but  de- 
siring also.  There  never  was  a  soul  miscarried  with  longing  afic» 
grace.  O  blessed  hunger  that  always  ends  in  full, ess  !  I  am  sorry  \ 
can  but  hunger,  yet  would  not  be  full ;  for  the  blessing  ispron;ihcc| 
to  the  hungry.'  As  verily  as  the  righteous  man,  Jesus,  wrouglit  out 
righteousness  for  sinful  man,  all  thirsty  souls  who  come  to  liim  shall 
be  filled  with  righteousness.  For  he  «  fills  the  hungry  with  y^A 
things,"  while  "he  sendst  he  rich  (the  self-righteous)  empty  away," 
Luke  i.  53. 

Onr  ncn -born  souls  <lo  ever  crave  Linl,   fill  our  l.nnjiy,  diirsfy  souls, 

For  i-islitpoiisiicss  we've  lost ;  >Vitli  sulisf)  in.?  f.ioi!  ; 

That  we  in  Jesus  may  be  IbuiiJ,  Blest  in  tliy  mc  rits  im.y  uc  b", 

And  by  liim  be  in:ule  jusl.  Ai..l>udoi.'d  bv  iby  blow!. 


280  SEPTEMBER  24. 

There  is,  therefore,  now  no  condemnation  to  them  -which 
are  in  Christ  Jesus. — Rom.  viii.  1. 

Mr.  BuRraTT  observes,  '  this  chapter  is  a  summary  of  evangel- 
iccil  duty,  a,.<i  a  magazine  of  christian  comfort :  it  begins  with  no  con- 
demnation to  believers,  and  ends  with  no  separation  from  the  love  of 
God.'  It  is  natural  to  conceive,  if  we  had  never  sinned  there  would 
be  no  condemnation  against  us  :  but,  that  now  we  are  sinners,  and  nat- 
urally under  the  condemning  sentence  of  God's  holy  law  ;  that  yet 
there  is  now  no  condemnation  to  us  ;  this  our  carnal  reason  cannot 
conceive,  and  therefore  opposes  it.  But  it  is  God's  truth  and  the  joy 
of  faith.  This  unfolds  the  great  mystery,  that  we  are  one  with  Christ : 
viewed,  beloved,  and  chosen  in  him.  This  gloriously  displays  the 
attributes  of  Jehovah's  justice  and  holiness  ;  while  a  full  and  ample 
discharge  from  all  condemnation  is  obtained  from  his  righteous  law, 
to  all  Christ's  members.  Therefore,  that  blessed  name  Jesus  is 
above  every  name  to  us.  In  this,  and  every  other  matter  of  salvation, 
to  him  every  believer's  knee  will  bow,  and  his  heart  confess,  Christ 
is  all  in  all.  Rich  privilege  to  be  in  Christ  Jesus  !  Unspeakable  hap- 
piness to  be  freed  from  all  condemnation  !  Blessed  effects  of  coven- 
ant-union with  Christ !  Joyful  experience  of  the  grace  of  luiih  in  him ! 
To  have  such  a  knowledge,  and  pass  such  a  judgment  upon  thy  soul, 
O  christian,  is  just  and  right.  It  is  thy  duty  and  privilege  at  all 
limes.     Practice  it. 

As  to  Jesus,  how  readest  thou  ?  "  The  Lord  hath  laid  upon  him 
the  iniquity  of  us  all,"  Jsa.  liii.  6.  "  Christ  bore  our  sins  in  his  own 
body  on  the  tree,"  1  Pet.  ii.  21..  "  Christ  suffered,  the  just  for  the 
unjust,"  1  Pet.  iii.  18.  "We  have  redemption  through  his  blood, 
the  forgiveness  of  sins.  He  was  made  sin  for  us,  who  knew  no  sin." 
Can  we  read  all  this  without  singing  a  triumphant  cluJlenge,  "  Who 
then  shall  lay  any  thing  to  the  charge  of  God's  elect  ?  God  that  justi- 
ficth  ?  No :  Who  is  he  that  condemneth  ?  Christ  that  died,  yea, 
rather  that  is  risen  again,  wlio  is  even  at  the  right  hand  of  God,  who 
also  maketh  intercession  for  us  ?"  Rom.  viii.  33,  34.  Here  is  the 
glorious  triumph  of  faith.  Thou  art  "  carnal,  sold  under  sin,"  Rom. 
vii.  U.  In  tliy  flesh  dvvelleth  no  good  thing  ;  though  thou  hast  no 
reason  for  confidence  In  the  llesh,  yet  always  abundant  cause  to  rejoice 
in  Christ  Jesus  :  for  in  him  thou  art  perfectly  righteous  ;  in  him  for 
pver  freed  from  all  condemnation.  ()  believer,  thou  art  called  ever 
lo  rejoice  in  this  liberty,  and  to  evitlcncc  it  by  walking,  ''  not  after  the 
flesh,  but  after  Use  Spirit." 

Siran.cc  niysffry  of  wond'ioiis  graco  !  O,  mm  \\)o  precious  faitli  of  this,        '^ 

I'm  ruUfjrsiii,  jut  not  coiKleniuM  I  D.nly  enliven  all  my  pow'rs, 

i  k(  !U)H  in  .Icsii's  rioliteoiisiipss  ;  To  riu,  the  road  to  bcav'nly  l)liss, 

ty  1u:t)  fiom  e^'iy  sin  r  .-U-cin'j;'  I-,  fhrbt  rrjoielHg  all  rr>y  hours.        31. 


SEPTEMBER  25.  281 

I  will  put  my  fmr  hi  their  hearts,   that  they  shall  not  de- 
part JYom  me. — Jcr.  xxxii.   40. 

T  WILL  and  they  sh^all.  Such  is  God's  gracious  way  of  saving 
his  people:  while  proud  legal  hearts  and  sclf-righteoub  spirits,  puft 
up  with  notio'!>  of  free-will,  are  ever  contending  for  tenns  and  con- 
ditions to  be  pci'formcd  by  dead  sinners  in  order  to  be  saved ;  or  by 
creatures  insafTicient  of  themselves  to  think  a  good  thought,  to  secure 
and  m..ke  effectual  salvation  to  their  own  souls.  But  this  fear  oi  (lod 
is  a  blessing  of  the  covenant  of  grace.  Naturally  ilie  fear  of  God  is 
not  in  our  hearts.  It  is  one  black  mark  of  an  unrcgenerate  person, 
"  he  has  no  fear  of  God  before  his  eyes."  How  awful  1  how  deplo- 
rable is  this  !  Yet,  naturally  we  fear  not  the  power  of  the  Lord,  nor 
dread  his  wrath  :  nor  are  v.e  at  all  sensible  of  our  danger.  What 
wonder  of  love  !  What  matter  of  thankfulness,  that  the  Lord  hath 
put  his  fear  in  t!iy  heart,  O  christian  I  The  fear  of  the  Lord  is  the 
beginning  of  wisdom.  It  is  perfectly  consistent  with  the  strongest 
faith,  the  most  inPiamed  love,  and  the  highest  spiritual  joy.  Though 
by  faith  in  Jesus  wc  are  delivered  from  a  servile,  slavish  fear  of  God, 
which  fills  us  with  legal  terrorsj  yet  we  are  possessed  of  a  filial,  loving 
fear  towards  him,  as  to  a  tender  and  iiffeclionatc  father. 

This  fear  shall  dwell  in  the  hearts  of  saints  all  their  days.  This 
fear  keeps  souls  from  sinning  against  the  God  of  love.  The  blessed 
effect  of  it  is,  "  that  they  shall  never  depart  from  me,"  saith  the 
Lord.  Thy  soul,  believer,  being  rooted  and  grounded  in  the  truth 
as  it  is  in  Jesus,  by  the  holy  Spirit,  expecting  life  and  salvation, 
through  fiith  in  him,  shall  ntver  dcf.art  from  this  good  old  way 
of  the  Lord,  into  bye-paths  of  hunian  errors  and  destructive  Wi.ys  of 
total  apostacy  and  final  unbelief.  The  Lord's  fear  shall  prtstr\c 
thee  in  thy  Lord's  truth.  Though  thine  enemies,  tlic  \vorld,  the 
flesh,  and4.he  devil,  should  surprise  thee  into  sin  against  thy  Lord  ; 
should  draw  thee  from  sweet  communion  with  him  ;  yet  shult  thou 
fear  to  "  lie  down  in  thy  shame,  while  confusion  covers  thee."  Thou 
shalt  remember,  Jesus  ever  lives  to  save  to  the  uttermost  all  sin- 
ners who  come  unto  God  by  him.  Thou  shalt  fear  to  seek  to  any 
other  object  but  him  ;  so  shalt  thou  return  by  faith  and  repentance 
to  him.     "  Happy  is  the  man  that  fcarcth  always,"  Prov.  xxviii.  14. 

.Salvation  is  for  ever  nigh  fJlirisl's  ligliteonsncSB  is  Jfonc  Seforc", 

Tiift  souls  that  fear  and  trust  the  Loi-d  ;  To  give  us  free  access  to  Gorf  : 

Anil  grace  desceading  from  on  lii;;li,  Our  wand'nug  feet  shiH  sliTky  no  mor?, 

Fresh  hopes  of  glory  sliull  aflbrd.  But  mark  liii  strp^  and  keep  Uic  vovl. 


282  SEPTEMBER  26. 

For  xve  which  have  believed^  do  enter  into  rest. — ^Heb.  i  v.  3. 

When-  Christ  is  known  and  believed  on  in  the  heart,  ease  and 
rest  are  enjoyed  in  the  conscience.  Therefore  Jesus  is  esteemed  a 
precious  Saviour.  The  operations  of  the  Spirit  prove  that  he  is  the 
co7vforter,  by  thus  leading  us  to  Christ.  Hence  faith  and  experi- 
ence go  hand  and  hand.  There  remaineth  for  the  people  of  God  a 
rest,  perfect  and  uninterrupted  in  glory.  We  have  the  earnest  of 
the  inheritiuice  of  it  on  earth  ;  by  faith  we  entei*  into  it  :  and  while 
we  abide  in  Jesus  we  enjoy  rest.  Who  is  able  to  conceive  ?  Who 
can  describe  the  tumult  of  conscience,  the  distress  of  soul,  under  a 
feeling  sense  of  sin  and  fear  of  wrath?  None  can,  but  the  heart  which 
knows  its  ovni  bitterness.  AVho  can  express  the  sweet  peace,  the 
calm  repose  of  that  soul  who  finds  rest  in  Jesus  ?  It  is  a  joy  which 
a  stranger  intermeddles  not  with. 

It  Avas  God's  command  under  the  law,  "  When  a  man  hath  taken 
a  new  wife,  he  shall  not  go  out  to  war  for  one  year,"  Deut.  xxiv.  5. 
This  is  sometimes  the  case  with  the  children  of  faith.  When  they 
are  first  married  to  the  Lamb,  and  have  just  entered  into  his  rest, 
the  sound  of  war  is  not  heard  in  their  camp  for  a  season.  Jesus  keeps 
their  souls  in  undisturbed  repose  :  no  enemy  is  suffered  to  annoy 
them.  The  joyful  sound  of  the  jubilee-trumpet  proclaims  in  their 
heart  full  frecdon\  and  sweet  liberty  from  the  guilt  of  sin,  the  bon- 
dage of  the  law,  and  tlie  tyranny  of  satan.  Hence  they  are  apt  to 
conclude  their  enemies  arc  all  dead,  and  they,  shall  see  war  no  more  ; 
but  it  is  not  so  ;  our  enemies  live  and  are  mighty.  Bless  Jesus  for 
rest ;  fear  not  thine  enemies  ;  know  thou  must  continue  in  the 
militant  state  wliilst  in  the  flesh  ;  but  here  is  the  mystery  of  faith, 
to  triumph  in  the  \-ictory  of  Jesus.  Whilst  all  are  in  arms  against 
the  soul,  though  troubled,  distressed,  perplexed,  on  every  side  ; 
fightings  without,  fears  within  :  although  there  is  no  rest  from  any- 
other  quarter,  yet  it  is  the  sweet  privilege  of  disciples  to  rest  i:j 
Jesus.  Saitlv  Paul  to  his  deer  children,  "You,  who  are  troubled, 
rcstv/ith  us,"  2  Thess.  i.  7.  Abide  in  Jesus;  rest  satisfied:  shortly 
your  Jesus  shall  be  revealed  from  heaven,  to  destroy  all  your  ene- 
mies, ar.d  to  make  you  forever  happy  in  his  rest  in  glory.  Uisciplc, 
indulge  not  a  murmuring  thought  against  thy  sovereign  ;  expect  no 
rest  any  where  but  in  him.  If  the  world  smiles,  it  is  pleasing  to  ihc 
flesh,  mit  it  often  proves  a  snare  to  the  soul ;  therefore  sailh  thy 
ever-loving  Jesus,  "  In  the  world  you  shall  have  tribulation  ;"  that 
is  his  legacy.  Here  is  thy  rich,  thy  never-Diling  portion,  "  In  me 
you  shall  have  peace,"  John  xvi.  33. 


SEPTEMBER  07.  285 

Thus  saith  the  Lord  God,  Behold  I  hiy  in  Zionfor  afoim- 
datimf,  a  stone,  a  tried  stone,  a  precious  corner-stunc^  a 
sure  foundation:  he  that  believeth  shall  }itt  make  haste. 
— Isa.  xxviii.  16. 

A  DAY  is  comint;  when  every  man's  work  shall  be  tried.  The 
foundation  of  the  Lord  stands  sure  ;  hut  every  other  foundation  shall 
be  destroyed.  He  who  is  built  on  Jesus,.tuul  derives  all  h.is  hopes  of 
life  a!)d  salvation  from  him,  is  safe  in  time,  and  secure  to  all  eternity. 
Before  men  begin  to  build,  they  draw  a  plan  ;  and  every  wise  builder 
looks  carefully  to  the  foundation;  for  on  this  depends  the  safety  of  the 
super-structure. 

The  plan  of  salvation  was  drawn  in  the  eternal  council.  It  is 
founded  in  the  love  of  the  Father;  effected  by  the  obedience  and 
sufferings  of  the  Son,  Jesus.  Hence  what  was  contrived  in  infinite 
wisdom  above,  is  laid  as  a  sure  foundation  in  the  church  below,  by 
the  love  and  power  of  the  Spirit,  the  comforter.  It  is  his  peculiar 
office  to  lay  this  foundation  in  Zion,  and  manifest  and  make  known 
to  the  prophets  and  apostles,  teachers  and  saints,  that  Jesus  is  Uie 
only  foundation.  As  a  stone,- for  strength  ;  a  tried  stone,  approved 
of  by  the  Father,  and  by  his  children  in  all  ages,  a  precious  corner- 
stone :  the  ornament  and  beauty,  as  well  as  strength  and  security 
of  the  whole  church.  Precious  is  Jesus  in  all  his  offices  to  them  that 
believe  ;  a  sure  foundation,  sure  to  all  the  seed  ;  certain  to  all  the 
purposes  of  their  salvation.  And  as  the  Lord  the  Spirit  lays  this 
foundation  in  tlie  church,  in  the  truth  of  doctrine,  so  also  in  the 
faith  and  experience  of  redeemed  souls. 

What  the  word  speaks  of  Jesus,  that  wc  prove  and  find  him  to  be. 
This  is  our  mercy.  "  He  that  believeth  shall  not  make  haste." 
Such  is  the  serenity  and  composure  of  mind,  that  he  shall  not  be 
frightened  in  times  of  distress  and  calamity,  to  quit  his  confidence 
in  Jesus — he  shall  not  be  ashamed  of  his  hope  m  the  Lord.  Being 
well  satisfied  that  Jesus  reigns,  that  the  govermcnt  of  his  church 
is  upon  his  shoulders,  and  the  residue  of  the  Spirit  is  v.ith  him,  he 
•will  patiently  wait,  and  quietly  hope  for  the  fulfilment  of  every 
promise.  Siri  and  satan  shall  not  overcome  tlie  believer  in  life  ;  in 
the  awful  article  of  death,  he  shall  not  be  confounded,  because  his 
heart  standcth  fast,  believing  in  the  Lord  ;  luid  when  Jesus  his -fiicnd 
appears,  he  shall  stand  forth  with  boldness,  and  shall  find  ;ui  abun- 
dant entrance  into  the  presence  of  Ciod  and  the  Lamb,  to  live,  and 
love,  and  reign  in  glory  for  ever  and  ever. 

O,  for  a  strong  and  lasting  faith.  To  luil'.d  upon  God's  only  .§on. 

To  credit  what  th'  Almighty  saitli,  And  caU  lii»  ri^jhtcousuess  mv  o»  ■ 


284  SEPTEMBER  28. 

But  the  Comforter  who  is  the  Holy  Ghost,  ivhotn  the  Fatli- 
er  ivill  send  in  my  name ^  he  shall  teach  you  all  things y 
and  bring  all  things  to  your  remembrance^  whatsoever  I 
have  said  unto  you. — John  xiv.  26. 

Our  blessed  Lord  here  gives  us  the  clearest  discovery  of  the 
ever-glorious  three  persons,  in  covenant,  for  the  salvation  of  lost 
sinners.  In  this  knowledge  lies  all  our  hope  :  from  this  belief  springs 
all  our  comfort.  In  the  love  of  this,  our  heaven  is  begun  upon  earth ; 
for  the  knowledge,  belief,  and  love  of  this  truth  in  our  hearts,  we  are 
wholly  indebted  to  the  comforter.  He  teaches  all  things.  Not  by 
any  new  lights  or  fresh  revelations  ;  but  he  graciously  instructs  our 
minds  and  comforts  our  hearts  by  the  same  light  of  truth  and  love 
which  beamed  foith  in  the  first  promise,  and  which  shone  brighter 
and  brighter  in  prophecies,  types  and  shadows  of  the  covenant  until 
the  substance,  Jesus,  was  come.  Then  the  canon  of  revealed  truth 
was  completed  by  the  apostles,  under  the  teachin  g  of  the  Holy 
Spirit ;  the  substance  of  which  is,  the  things  which  Jesus  sp-ke,  did, 
and  suffered  on  our  account,  as  our  substitute,  aid  for  our  salvation. 
It  is  the  peculiar  office  of  the  Spirit  to  glorify  Jesus,  and  to  sanc- 
tify our  souls.  This  he  doth  by  the  word  ot  truth  ;  teaching  our 
minds  the  Father's  electing  love,  as  centering  in  Jesus,  and  directing 
our  eyes  to  him,  as  made  of  God  to  us,  wisdom,  righteousness,  sanc- 
tification,  and  redemption.  Let  no  man  deceive  us, with  expectations 
of  any  new  revelation  from  heaven,  of  new  truths  to  comfort  us  :  but 
ever  hear  Paul,  "  Though  we  or  an  angel  from  heaven,  preach  any 
other  gospel  unto  you  than  that  ye  have  received,  let  him  be  accurs- 
ed," Gal.  i.  8.  Let  us  prize  and  study  God's  word ;  in  and  by 
that  the  Spirit  teacheth  and  comfcrteth  our  minds ;  in  everlasting 
love  and  the  most  ancient  truth  he  establisheth  us  ;  we  are  poor  sin- 
ners from  day  to  day  :  we  feel  many  things  in  and  around  us  to  de- 
ject and  distress  us.  When  we  remember  what  sin  hath  done  to  us 
brought  upon  us,  and  exposeth  us  to,  our  hciirts  are  in  fears  and 
doubts  what  will  become  of  us.  O  then  the  comforter  brings  to  our 
minds  and  consciences  the  transccndantly  rich  love  of  Jesus  ;  what  he 
undertook,  spoke,  and  did  in  life,  suffered  in  death,  and  still  lives  to 
plead  in  our  behalf  before  the  throne.  O  the  heart-felt  joy  of  this  ! 
So  he  relieves  our  minds  and  refreshes  our  spirits,  through  the  faith 
of  Jesus,  in  the  knowledge  of  the  truth  ;  so  he  teaches  us  self-despair, 
animates  us  with  courage  to  go  on  in  the  path  of  holiness,  and  forti- 
fies our  minds  to  withstand  all  that  is  against  us.  *'  Grieve  not  the 
holy  Spirit  of  God,  whereby  ye  arc  scaled  unto  the  day  of  redemp- 
tion," Ephes.  iv.  30. 


SEPTEMBER  29.  285 

Therefore^  brethren,  we  are  debtors,  not  to  the  fie sh^  to 
live  aftef  the  fie sh. — Rom.  viii.  12. 

Christianity  teaches  us  to  owe  no  mun  any  thing.  He  is  a 
prudent  mtui  who  keeps  his  accounts  clear  and  know  s  to  whom  he  is 
indebted;  he  is.a  tjratcful  man  who  acknowledges  favors  with  just 
sentiments.  If  tliis  is  necessary  and  conmiendable  in  the  (tcunomy 
of  this  short  life,  how  much  more  so  in  things  of  a  spirilu;.l  and 
eternal  nature  !  How  wise,  how  just  is  it  to  render  to  all  their  dues  I 
Tf  we  arc  debtors  to  the  flesh,  let  us  serve  that ;  but  if  debtors  to  the 
Loi-d,  it  is  then  our  duty  and  privilege  to  serve  him.  What  owest 
thou,  O  christian,  to  the  flesh  ?  Verily,  neither  suit  nor  sprvicc  : 
but  alas  !  tliou  hast  obeyed  its  sinful  motions,  gratified  the  corrupt 
luKts  thereof,  and  what  hast  thou  reaped  for  it  but  shame  rjid  soirow? 
These  are  the  only  fruits  lliai  sin  and  folly  bear.  The  flesh  with  its 
corruptions  and  lusts  is  at  enmity  to  thy  God,  and  at  war  against  thy 
soul.  Willin^^ly  to  give  place  to  such  tin  enemy  to  fulfd  the  lusts  and 
live  after  the  sinful  desires  of  the  flesh,  will  mostfassuredly  weaken 
thy  confidence  in  Jesus  and  bring  death  upon  tliy  peace  and  comfort ; 
yea,  *'  if  ye  live  after  the  flesh,  ye-  shall  die."  The  Lord  strcngthcu 
us  d  lily  to  deny  its  demands,  and  to  mortify  its  lusts  !  for  we  are  not 
debtors  to  the  flesh,  but  to  the  Spirit ;  debtors,  in  an  immense  sum 
of  love  and  gratitude  a  time  can  never  discharge  it.  With  inexpres- 
sible joy  and  delight  we  shall  ever  be  payuig,  but  never  discharge 
this  debt  through  a  never-ending  eternity. 

The  gospel  of  the  grace  of  God  is  no  licentious  doctrine  ;  it  seta 
at  liberty  it  is  true  ;  but  it  is  from  the  most  galling  yoke  and  most  ser- 
vile drudgery  to  sin  and  lusts  ;  but  yet  it -binds  the  soul  in  the  sweet- 
est bonds  of  grateful  service  and  loving  obedience  to  Jcsusj  Uie  best 
of  mast;n'3.  What  owest  thou  to  the  Spirit,  O  christian  ?  Writ« 
upon  thy  heart,  even  all  my  present  peace,  all  my  fiuure  hopes  ;  for 
he  it  is  yrho  convinced  thee  of  sin,  revealed  to  thee  the  love  of  God  in 
Cl'i.ist,  gave  thee  power  to  believe  on  Jesus,  grace  to  repent.  He 
fills  thee  with  joy  and  peace  in  believing  ;  he  bears  witness  with  thy 
spirit,  and  assures  of  thine  adoption  to  be  a  child  of  God  ;  and  it  is 
through  his  influence  only,  thou  art  able  to  mortify  the  deeds  of  the 
flesh,  to  love  tliy  God  and  Saviour  and  live  to  his  glory  ;  and  Ci»nst 
thou  deUberat^ly  grieve  the  Spirit,  this  blessed  hihubitiint,  this  living 
comforter,  by  yielding  service  to  thy  inbred  enemy  ?  O,  with  what 
fire  .;f  indii^nation  against  lust  !  with  what  warmth  of  aflcction  to  his 
God  doth  Joseph  cry  out,  under  the  solicitations  of  a  strong  tempta- 
tion, How  r.an  I  do  this  great  wickedness?  and  what  ? — sin  against  the 
bcsi  of  masters  ?  against  my  owa  soul  ?  no ;  but  against  my  most  kind, 
most  lovi-g,  and  eternal  friend,  the  Lord  my  God  I— Gen.  xxxix.  9. 

V  OL.  I.  M  m 


280  SEPTEMBER  30. 

As  sin  hath  reigned  unto  death,  even  so  might  grace  reigrt 
through  righteousness  unto  eternal  life,  by  Jesus  Christ 
our  Lord. — Rom.  v.  21. 

Sin,  like  some  mighty  conqueror,  hath  obtained  a  victory  and 
reigns  over  the  whole  human  race.  All  men  are  naturally  under,  and 
well  pleased  witli  its  reign  and  government  j  but  sovoreign,  almighty 
grace  dethrones;  this  usurping  monarch  in  the  hearts  of  the  elect ; 
triumphs  over  its  spoils  and  conquests,  delivers  their  captive  souls 
from  its  dominion,  and  reverscth  the  sentence  of  death  they  were  un- 
der :  and  all  this  efiected  in  a  just  and  righteous  way.  For  though 
salvation  is  all  of  grace  to  poor  sinners,  yet  eternal  life  is  a  just  debt 
due  to  the  blood  and  righteousness  of  Jesus  Christ :  he  hatli  a  right 
to  challenge  it  from  the  hands  of  justice  ;  and  he  doth  so  by  promise, 
"  Father,  I  ivill  that  they  whom  thou  hast  given  me,  be  with  me 
where  I  am,"  John  xvii.  24. 

To  think  of  doing  something  to  procure  the  favor  of  God  and  en- 
title ourselves  to  eternal  life  ;  this  we  are  prompted  to  from  the 
pride  of  our  natures  and  unbelief  of  our  hearts.  But  such  notions 
ever  oppose  the  gospel  of  grace,  resist  the  Spirit  of  truth,  degrade 
the  glory  of  Jesus,  depreciate  the  perfection  of  his  finished  work, 
and  make  the  God  of  truth  a  liar.  But  thou,  O  believer,  art  not  sa- 
ved without  a  perfect  righteousness,  in  perfect  obedience  to  the  law 
of  God;  and  through  faith  in  Jesus  thou  hast  a  just  challenge,  and 
humble  claim,  founded  upon  his  righteousness,  to  eternal  life  1  O  the 
rich  triumphs  of  abounding  love  !  how  glorious  is  the  victory  of 
sovereign  grace  I  Soul,  thou  must  sink  into  nothing  at  its  discovery, 
yet  rise  into  a  gloi'ious  subject,  from  the  knowledge  and  experience  of 
it.  Grace  reigns  over  all  the  aboundings  of  sin  ;  here  is  our  hope, 
through  the  righteousness  of  Christ,  over  all  unrighteousness  ;  here 
is  our  justification  in  God's  sight  unto  eternal  life  ;  here  is  our  tri- 
umph over  the  wages  of  sin  and  death.  O  sinner  !  destitute  of  right- 
eousness in  thyself,  ^-j-cce  demands  the  daily  study  and  those  of  thy 
heart;  grace  demands  the  whole  devotion  of  thy  life.  Give  all  the. 
glory  where  only  it  is  justly  due  ;  to  the  Father,  for  everlasting  love  ; 
to  the  Son  for  everlasting  righteousness  ;  and  to  the  Spirit,  for  ever- 
lasting consolation  and  good  hope  through  grace.  The  more  thou 
ar^cnabled  to  live  upon  the  divine  truth  and  faithfulness  of  the  cove- 
nant, as  revealed  in  the  word,  and  shining  with  full  lustre  in  the  pcr- 
.son  of  Jesus,  thou  wilt  become  dead  to  every  hope  but  him  ;  out  of 
conceit  with  all  righteousness  but  his,  and  thou  v,ilt  be  singing  in  tri- 
nn)ph  wid)  the  church,  "  I  will  greatly  rejoice  in  the  Lord  ;  my  soul 
shall  be  joyful  in  imj  God  ;  for  he  hath  clothed  7ne  witli  the  garments 
of  sah'ation,  he  hath  covered  me  with  the  robeof  righteousness," 
Isa.  Ixi.   10, 


OCTOBER  1.  287 

Casting  all  your  care  upun  him  ;  for  he  caretlifur  you. — 
1  Pet.  V.  7. 

We  are  now  called  to  confess  Jesus  in  a  day  of  mildness  ;  the 
fury  and  rage  of  persecution  is  restrained  ;  bonds  and  imprisonments 
do  not  await  us  ;  yet  we  must  not  think  to  be  exempt  from  lilals  and 
difficulties  of  various  kinds.  The  adversary  is  not  dead;  nature's 
lusts  and  corruptions  are  alive,  and  daily  fight  against  us.  The  love 
of  Jesus  is  ever  accompanied  witli  the  world's  haired.  Disciples  of 
Jesus  are  not  mere  stoics  ;  they  feel  the  exercise  of  these  tilings 
more  or  less.  Sometimes  it  may  be  their  lot,  like  tlie  disciples  to  be 
in  the  midst  of  a  sea  of  troubles  :  tossed  witli  the  wave  of  difficulties, 
the  wind  of  providence  seems  contrary  to  them  :  and  to  the  eye  of  na- 
ture and  sense,  Jesus  seems  asleep  to  their  sorrows  ;  as  though  he 
intermits  in  liis  kind  love  to  them,  and  tender  care  over  them.  Uere 
is  the  trial  of  faith  ;  but  this  grace  never  consults  nature  and  appear- 
ances ;  it  looks  through  all,  to  the  everlasting  love  and  almighty  pow- 
er of  Jesus,  knowing  he  can  save  from  the  uttermost  depth  of  distress, 
to  the  uttermost  height  of  comfort. 

So  triumphs  the  church  under  all  her  tribulations  ;  "  I  will  look 
xmto  the  Lord  :  I  will  wait  for  the  God  of  njy  salvation  :  my  God 
■will  hear  me.  Rejoice  not  against  me,  O  mine  enemy  :  when  1  fall, 
I  shall  arise  ;  when  I  sit  in  darkness,  the  Lord  shall  be  u  light  untx) 
me,"  Micah  vii.  7,  8.  Sweet  confession  of  faitli  under  very  dis- 
couraging views.  But  while  the  Lord  cares  for  us,  what  can  harm 
us  ?  and  while  we  cast  our  every  care  on  hiin,  we  obey  his  will,  hon- 
or his  word,  and  gather  from  that  heavenly  pluit  tlic  blessed  fruit  of 
heart-ease.  How  composed  did  the  three  children  oi  faiih  stand  be- 
fore the  wrathful  monarch  !  How  easy  their  minds  under  Uie  dread- 
ful threatening  of  a  fiery  furaace  1  How  calm  their  reply  1  «^  O  king, 
wc  are  not  careful  to  answer  thee  in  tliis  matter  !"  the  Lord  careih 
for  us  ;  we  cast  all  our  care  upon  hiro.  Ever  judge  of  Jesus'  care 
for  sinners  by  his  love  to  them.  Ever  remember  while  we  were  en- 
emies, his  blood  atoned  for  our  sins.  Can  we  believe  his  love  to  Ub, 
and  doubt  of  his  care  for  us  ?  O  hoAv  unreasonable  is.unbeliefl  Biii 
if  we  had  no  corruption  to  conflict  with,  no  troubles  to  exercise  us, 
no  burdens  to  bow  us  down,  no  cares  to  beset  us,  no  fears  to  attend 
us,  great  part  of  God's  word  would  be  useless.  As  we  are  not  to 
expect  total  freedom  from  these  things,  the  exhortatioivs  of  Uie  wbrd 
are  suited  to  our  state,  and  direct  to  a  loving  fiiend,  whom  wc  are  l« 
believe  and  honor  by  obeying  his  kind  inviialions  :  under  evcrv  ^lis» 
tress  Jesus  saith,  «  Come  unto  me,"  Mutt.  xi.  -8. 


288  OCTOBER  2. 

^4t  that  day  ye  shall  Jcnow  that  I  am  ifi  my  Father,  and  ye 
i?t  mCy  and  I  in  you — John  xiv.  20, 

"  To  every  thing  there  is  a  season,  and  a  time  for  every  purpose 
under  the  heaven."  "God  hath  made  every  thing  beautiful  in  hi? 
time.'' — Eccles.  iii.  1,  11.  In  the  beginning  of  time  God  created 
all  things  by  Jesus  Christ.  In  the  fulness  of  time  the  Son  of  God 
v/as  made  flcsli,  dwelt  among  us  for  a  time,  and  at  the  end  of  it 
finished  salvation  for  lost  sinners.  The  man  Jesus  ever  lives  in 
glory,  and  therefore  his  members  must  be  made  spiritually  alive 
upon  earth  ;  to  him  they  must  all  be  gathered.  There  is  a  day  of 
grace  appointed  them  :  a  time,  a  set  tinie  to  ftivor  them — Psalm 
ex.  3.  A  day  of  power,  wherein  they  are  made  willing  to  come  to 
Jesus,  and  choose  him  for  their  only  Saviour,  and  trust  in  him  as 
their  only  hope  and  their  all.  Various  are  the  spiriuial  statutes  of 
God's  children.  Different  are  their  degrees  of  light,  faith,  know- 
ledge, and  love.  As  in  the  creation  of  nature,  in  the  first  day's  work 
light  was  produced,  perhaps  small  and  glimmering  ;  but  that  glorious 
luminary  the  sun,  was  not  until  the  fourth  day:  so  is  it  in  the  new 
creation  of  souls.  Our  Lord's  first  disciples  had  light  enough  to  see 
him  as  the  true  Messiah,  to  come  to  him,  and  follow  him  ;  yet  it  is 
amazing  to  read  how  dark  and  confused  their  minds  were  about 
many  things  which  concerned  his  person,  sufferings,  and  kingdom  •, 
it  is  just  the  same  now.  Many  are  his  sincere  disciples,  but  are  very 
weak  in  faith  ;  know  very  little  of  this  great  mystery,  that  Christ 
and  his  Father  are  one,  that  Christ  is  in  the  Father,  that  they  are  in 
Christ  and  that  Christ  is  iii  them.  Hence  they  are  often  sadly  per- 
plexed and  harrassed  in  their  minds  with  doubts  and  fears.  Still  they 
cleave  to  Jesus  ;  they  love  to  hear  of  his  precious  name  and  glorious 
salvation  ;  their  hearts  c;in  be  satisfied  with  nothing  else.  Hence  it  is 
plain  the  light  hath  shined,  and  the  glory  of  the  Lord  is  risen  upon 
them  :  but  they  must  follow  on  to  know'thc  Lord.  There  shall  be  a 
d\y  of  Pentecost,  a  day  of  meridian  light,  wherein  they  shall  know 
even  as  they  are  knowii-— assuredly  know  that  there  is  a  mntual 
in-dwelling  of  '<  Christ  in  them,  and  they  in  Christ,  and  the  Spirit 
will  bear  witness  to  their  spirits,  that  they  are  the  children  of  God," 
Rom.  viii.  16.  Most  Bwcetly  says  Mr.  Rutherford,  « I  am  sure  my 
wellJj.eloved  is  God.  And  when  I  say  Christ  is  God,  and  my  Christ 
is  God,  1  Jiavc  said  all  things  ;  I  can  say  no  more.  I  would  I  could 
build  as  much  on  this,  vnj  Chrint  in  God,  as  it  would  bear  ;  I  might 
ley  all  the  world  on  it.' — '  I  will  have  nothing  to  do  with  ?in  absolute 
God,'  says  Luther. 


OCTOBER  S.  289 

And  the  work  ofrighteoumess  shall  be  peace ;  and  the  efftct 
of  righfeousness,  quietness  y  and  assurance  for  ever. — 
Isa.  xxxii.   17. 

The  light  of  this  day  assures  us  the  sun  is  risen  upon  ihc  earth. 
Thiit  is  not  a  more  evident  truth  in  nature,  tiian  iliis  is  in  rcasoa; 
that  righteousness,  once  lost,  can  never  be  regained  by  all  that  sin- 
ful mail  cin  do.  Consequently  no  peace  can  subsist  between  a  holy, 
righteous  God,  and  guilty,  unrighteous  man.  "  There  is  no  peace, 
saith  rr.y  God,  to  the  wicked."  But  who  are  the  wicked  ?  Even  ail 
tliose  who  througli  unbelief  reject  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.  It  is 
the  essence  of  wickedness  to  oppose  a  righteous  God,  to  reject  the 
ri;^hteousness  of  Jesus,  and  to  go  about  to  establish  one's  own  inherent 
righteousness,  so  as  not  to  submit  to  the  righteousness  ol  God  Jesu  s. 
Hciicc  the  conscience  is  dtfi.cd  with  guilt,  tlie  heart  impure,  and 
the  life  is  unholy.  Yet  pride  blinds  men's  eyes,  and  sx-lt-rightcouS' 
ness  deludes  their  hearts  with  a  false  peace.  For  as  there  is  but  one 
atonement  by  which  gviilly  sinners  are  pardoned,  so  tliere  is  but  one 
righteousness,  even  the  perfect  righteoubiiess  oi  Jesus,  by  which 
alone  unrighteous  sinners  are  made  righteous  in  the  sight  of  God: 
he  accepts  no  other  ;  his  law  is  honored  by  no  other  ;  the  scriptures 
reveal  no  other  ;  faith  receives  no  otlicr ;  the  Spirit  bears  witness  to 
no  other  ;  sinners  have  no  other  in  which  they  can  stand  before  God, 
enjoy  peace  with  God.  But  possessing  the  righteousness  of  J;;sus 
by  faith,  their  minds  enjoy  a  peace  which  passeth  uU  understanding. 
There  are  many  things  from  a  siniul  nature,  satan,  and  die  hiw, 
which  tend  to  disquiet  their  minds  daily.  But  this  is  the  blessed 
effect  of  Jesus'  righteousness  ;  it  brings  quietness  to  the  coiiscience. 
This  comforting  thought,  I  am  righteous  :  my  Father  hatli  put  on 
me  the  best  robe,  which  Jesus  my  elder  brother  wrought  out  for  me. 
This  quiets  my  mind  ;  I  am  easy  and  satisfied  ;  I  can  seek  no  better 
righteousness  ;  I  dare  trust  in  no  other.  And  this  righteousness 
is  presented  with  tlie  clearest  evidence,  the  strongest  confidence,  the 
fullest  assurance.  The  triumphs  of  Jesus'  resurrection  proclaim  its 
acceptance  with  God.  The  Spirit  testifies  of  it  in' the  word*  an4 
gives  assurance  of  salvation  by  it  in  the  heart  of  the  faithful.  II'  nee 
the  holy  boldness  and  happy  rcn-iring  of  faith  befoiea  righteous 
G(jd.  David's  address  to  Jesus  is  "My  mouth  shall  shcwforlh.lliy 
righteousness,  and  thy  salvation  all  the  day.  I  will  make  mention  of 
thy  righteousness,  even  of  tliine  only,"  Psalm  Ixxi.  15,  )6.  As 
there  is  but  one  fiiith,  so  saints  in  all  ages  Juud  but  nut  ot^cr 
to  for  right  jousness,  even  Jesus,  Therefore  hoJy  Paul  nr.' 
I  may  be  found  in  him,  not  having  mine  own  rightccusnco--,"  i'..i.. 
iii.  9. 


290  OCTOBER  4. 

All  things  are  lawful  uivto  me,  but  all  things  are  not  expe- 
dient— 1  Cor.  vi.  12. 

The  constraints  of  love  and  jealousy  of  fear  sweetly  unite  in  the 
believing  heart.  Where  the  faith  of  Jesus  prevails,  love  constrains. 
It  holds  and  keeps  us  in  our  station  and  duty,  as  soldiers  are  kept 
together  under  a  baaner  or  ensign  displayed.  What  cheerfulness 
and  activity  of  soul  do  we  experience,  when  we  can  say  with  the 
church  hi  the  Canticles,  (ii.  4.)  "  Jesus'  banner  over  me  was  love  1" 
Then  how  sweetly  do  we  jvidge  and  determine  our  conduct  by  the  law 
of  Christ,  which  is  love  !  This  excites  a  godly  fear  lest  we  should 
allow  ourselves  a  latitude  in  things  in  themselves  indifferent,  to  the 
wounding  and  hurt  of  our  souls  or  our  fellow-soldiers.  Though  all 
things  of  an  indifferent  nature,  which  are  innocent  in  themselves, 
are  lavv'ful  to  us  :  yet  the  cause  and  interest  of  our  dear  Saviour,  and 
the  good  and  edifying  of  his  beloved  members,  should  be  ever  near 
our  hearts,  and  make  us  consider  the  expediency  of  them. 

How  narrow  is  the  path  of  duty  !  yet  it  is  pleasant  to  the  faithful 
soul.  For  Jesus  hath  strewed  it  with  the  fragrant  fruits  of  peace, 
love,  and  comfort.  Peace  from  God,  and  with  our  brethren  ;  love 
to  God  and  one  another.  While  we  walk  according  to  this  rule,  we 
bring  glory  to  God  who  hath  called  us  by  Jesus  Christ  to  glory,  and 
will  also  assuredly  glorify  us  together  with  himself.  What  circum- 
spection becomes  disciples  in  their  daily  walk,  that  they  give  none 
offence,  neither  to  the  Jew  nor  to  the  Gentile,  nor  to  tlie  church 
of  God  I  The  eyes,  not  only  of  God,  angels,  and  devils,  are  upon 
us,  but  the  eyes  of  men  also,  our  brethren,  and  our  opposers.  Did 
the  Rechcibites  wholy  abstain  from  wine,  because  Jonadab  com- 
manded "Ye  shall  drink  no  wine  ;"  Did  the  Lord  honor  their  obedi- 
ence in  this  indifferent  thing  with  his  approbation  ?  Jer.  xxxv. 
How  much  more  will  Jesus  honor  his  disciples,  who,  with  an  eye 
to  his  glory,,  and  his  members'  good,  abstain  from  things  that  are 
not  expedient !  Thou  free-man  of  the  Lord,  with  a  holy  resolution 
asert  the  dignity.  I  will  not  be  brought  upder  the  power  of  any 
thing  contrary  to  the  love  of  Jesus.  Happy  is  he  who  seekcth  not  to 
please  himself,  but  to  profit  others.  How  then  can  those  answer  to 
tiif.  Lord  Christ,  to  their  own  souls,  and  to  their  brethren,  who  can 
indulsfC  themselves  at  card  tallies,  play-houses.  See.  and  say,  "  These 
arc  indifferent  things  ;  I  see  no  harm  in  them  !"  Is  this  "  following 
after  the  things  which  make  for  peace,  and  wherewith  one  may  edify 
another?"  Rom.  xiv.  10.  '  Happy  is  he  that  condoiACth  not  him- 
fcelf  iu  tliat  thinct  wliich  he  allowcih,"  ver.  %i. 


OCTOBER  5.  201 

fJliat  dost  thou  here,  Elijah? — I  Kings  xix.  13. 

The  prophets  as  well  as  ihc  children  of  ihe  Lord,  are  somctijnes 
found  where  tliey  ought  not  to  be.  Elijah  had  not  taken  up  his 
residence  in  a  cave  in  tlie  wilderness.  What  work  could  he  do  for 
his  master  here  ?  What  glory  could  he  brhig  to  his  name  in  a  barren 
mountain  ?  Here  were  no  lambs  of  God's  flock  to  be  gathered,  no 
sheep  of  Christ's  pasture  to  be  fed,  no  torn  sheep  to  be  healed  and 
nourished  by  his  word  and  doctrine.  It  seems  as  though  he  thought 
all  his  work  was  at  an  end,  his  zeal  qiute  worn  out ;  and  in  a  fit  of 
fear,  unbelief,  and  despondency,  he  retreated  from  pul)lic  opposition 
to  the  dreary  mansions  of  a  mountainous  cave  lor  rest  and  quiet.  But 
the  Lord  followed  him,  caused  him  to  hear  his  voice,  caHs  him  to 
new  work,  endues  him  with  fresh  strength,  and  animates  him  with 
the  pleasing  assurance  that  he  had  seven  thousand  faithful  servants 
yet  in  Israel.     But  poor  Elijah  thought  he  was  left  alone. 

See  the  effect  of  judging  according  to  appearances.  Carnal  reason 
is  a  bad  judge  in  spiritual  things.  The  wisdom  of  the  llcsh,  ever 
determines  contrary  to  the  wisdom  of  God.  Beware  of  your  frames, 
O  disciples.  If  on  the  mount,  in  the  sunshine  of  comfort,  be  not 
vain  and  confident,  with  "  I  sinill  never  fall."  If  in  the  gloomy 
valley,  where  light  and  joy  are  obscured,  be  not  cast  down  and  dc- 
jecied.  "The  Lord  reigneth  :  rejoice  in  him."  Though  clouds 
and  darkness  are  round  thy  God  and  Saviour,  yet  «  righteousness 
and  judgment  are  the  habitation  of  his  throne,"  Psalm  xcvii.  Aboi-e 
all,  beware  of  thy  conduct.  Fly  not  to  places  of  sinful  vanities,  and 
vain  gratifications.  These  can  never  profit  thy  soul.  Nay,  if  dark 
and  uncomfortable,  what  canst  thou  expect  but  to  be  darker  and 
more  uncomfortable  still  ?  This  is  a  fl\rther  remove  from  the  Sa- 
viour's love  and  presence.  What  canst  thou  expect,  buttliis  cutt- 
ing reproof,  this  keen  interrogation,  "  thou  nr.m  of  God,  what  dost 
thou  HERE  ?"  If  Elijah  was  repiovcd,  for  in  a  barren  wilderness, 
how  canst  thou  answer  it  to  God  thy  loving  Saviour,  for  being 
found  on  worse  than  barren  groui\d  ;  where  the  alluiing  baits  of  sin; 
the  poisonous  weeds  of  satan  grow  in  abundance,  to  beguile  and  des- 
troy unstable  souls.  O  soul,  hear  the  call  of  thy  beloved  Lord  I 
"  Depart  ye,  del^art  ye,  this  is  not  your  rest."  Know  yoiir  glorious 
privilege.  «  Ye  are  tlie  temples  of  the  living  God.  God  dwells  in 
you,  and  walke  in  you."  Listen  to  liis  voice,  speaking  to  your  souls, 
"  Wherefore  come  out  from  among  them,  and  be  ye  separate,  sailh 
the  Lord,  and  I  will  receive  you  :  and  I  will  be  a  Father  unto  you, 
[ye  shall  enjoy  tlie  sweet  knowledge  of  it,)  and  ye  shall  l)e  my  sons 
and  daughters,  stuth  the  Lord  Almighty,"  2  Cor.  vi.  17,  IS. 


292  OCTOBER  6. 

Let  us  lay  aside  every  weight,  and  the  sifi  which  doth  so 
easily  beset  us. — Heb.  xii.   1. 

Christian  thou  art  called  to  run  a  race  :  the  eyes  of  innume- 
aable  spectators  are  upon  thee  ;  the  powers  of  many  tucmies  are 
against  thee  ;  but  fear  not.  In  the  strength  of  Jesus,  through  the 
power  of  faith,  thou  shalt  obtain  the  prize  :  even  the  salvciuon  of  thy 
soul.  It  is  thy  wisdom  to  know  thy  foes  and  to  guard  aguinst  them  ; 
to  know  tiiine  own  vilcness  and  weakness,  and  to  look  to  thy  friend 
for  power.  Thou  hast  a  heavy  burden  which  hinders  thy  runiJng 
with  alacrity  and  delight  ;  this,  in  the  cxeixise  of  faith,  thou  must  iuy 
aside  ;  therefore  «  put  off  the  old  man  with  his  deeds."  This 
through  the  Spirit  is  to  be  thy  daily  work.  Every  sin  is  a  weight  s 
as  such  is  to  be  laid  aside.  "  The  body  of  shi  "  is  a  sore  burden, 
therefore  to  be  put  off:  but  thou  hast  a  besetting  sin:  tliine  own 
conscience  best  knows  its  name  and  nature  :  this  thou  art  called  to 
lay  aside.  In  the  nature  of  all  men  there  is  one  sin,  a  master  sin, 
the  source  and  spring  of  every  other  sin,  which  even  believers  are 
not  exempt  from  ;  but  it  is  ready  at  all  times  easily  to  beset  them. 
It  is  that  monster  of  iniquity,  unbelitf.  "  Faith  is  the  substance  of 
things  hoped  for,  and  the  evidence  of  things  not  seen,"  Hcb.  xi.  1. 
Here  we  see  what  glory  is  given  to  God,  and  what  wonders  were 
wrought  by  faith  in  that  chapter.  It  is  the  nature  of  unbelief  to  deny 
the  substance  of  what  is  hoped  for,  and  to  oppose  the  evidence  of 
invisible  realities.  It  tends  to  niake  faint  hearts^  weak  knees,  iind 
feeble  hands  :  it  stops  us  in  our  race  :  it  puts  us  to  a  stand  ;  and  we 
should  give  up  all  and  give  overall,  unless  Jesus  prays  for  us,  and 
•we  arc  endued  with  power  from  on  high.  But  glory  to  our  Jesus  he 
does  pray  for  us,  therefore,  our  faith  fails  not ;  we  are  strengthened 
by  the  Spirit's  might  in  the  inner  man  to  hold  on.  Yet  shame  on 
thee,  O  soul,  instead  of  laying  aside  this  sin,  how  oUen  dost  tliou 
treat  it  as  a  bosom  friend  !  How  frequently  consult  it  as  a  sweet 
counsellor  !  especially  when  its  arguments  arc  backed  by  its  con- 
stant companion,  carnal  reason.  But  being  assured  the  matter  of 
thy  faith  is  the  word  of  truth,  the  author  and  finisher  of  tiiy  faith  Je- 
sus, thou  art  not  called  to  answer  every  cavil  from  carnal  reason,  nor 
to  silence  unbelief  by  explaining  the  mysteries  of  grace  and  Sidvation  j 
but  to  lay  it  aside  ;  put  it  off  as  David  did  Saul's  arniour  ;  put  it 
away  as  men  do  childish  things  ;  cast  it  out  as  Abrahajii  did  tlie  bond- 
woman and  her  son — and  so  run  the  race  that  is  set  before  thee, 
every  step  "  looking  unto  Jesus." 

By  gliinin'rirny  1iopc3  aiid  s^lcomy  fears  See  tlie  kind  artgels  at  tlie  gates,    , 

We  trace  the  raerctl  road  ;  liivl.nij;  >is  to  come  ! 

TKro'  dhr.al  dctps  ind  tiang'ious  snares  "i'iicn- .,' .  siis  the  forerunner  waits, 

■\^'^c  luake  our  way  to  God.  To  welcome  trav'iers  home. 


OCTOBER  7.  293 

That  I  may  know  him. — Phil.  iii.  10. 

"There  are  three  things  that  are  never  sati-ficd,  yea,  fovir— 
the  fire  which  suith  not,  it  is  enough,"  Prov.  xxx.  1 5,  16.  So  true 
is  this  of  the  fire  of  love  when  kindled  in  believing  hcurts.  It  burns 
with  insatiable  desire  towards  Jesus.  Amazing  !  Had  Paul  so  long 
known,  loved,  and  preached  a  crucified,  risen  Jesus,  and  yet  now 
desires  to  know  him  ?  Yes.  Such  is  the  nature  of  faith,  that  like 
riches  to  a  miser,  the  more  they  increase,  the  more  the  desires  of  his 
heart  increase  after  them.  His  wants  are  greater  than  his  posses- 
sions. So  the  living  members  of  precious  Jesus  see  such  inexhaust- 
il^le  treasures  in  him  their  living  head,  and  such  numerous  warjts 
in  themselves,  that  their  hearts  are  ever  crying  after,  looking  to,  and 
longing  for  more  of  his  presence,  blessings  and  comforts  in  know- 
ledge and  experience.  And,  like  a  chaste  virgin  espoused  to  an  af- 
fectionate lover,  her  desires  will  never  be  completely  satisfied  till  shft 
is  brought  into  the  nearest  relation  and  closest  embraces,  when  she 
takes  up  her  abode,  and  enjoys  the  presence  of  the  object  of  her  love. 
Lovers  of  Jesus  can  never  be  satisfied  with  any  other  but  him,  nor 
will  they  be  fully  satisfied  nor  pei:fectly  happy,  till  they  are  for  ever 
present  with  their  ever-loving  Lord. 

But  the  knowledge  of  him,  even  now,  creates  a  paradise  of  peace, 
a  heaven  of  love  and  holiness  in  tlie  soul.  Hence  there  is  a  godly- 
jealousy  in  espoused  souls,  lest  other  objects  should  steal  upon  their 
affections.  If  at  any  time  their  eyes  have  been  turned  from  their 
Lord,  there  is  a  holy  shame  ;  they  blush  at  their  folly,  and  cry,  O 
that  I  may  know  him  who  rests  for  ever  alike  ia  his  constant  love  to 
nie  a  poor  sinner.  In  this  consists  the  life  and  joy  of  the  heart,  to 
know  that  Jesus  hath  made  peace  for  us  by  the  blood  of  his  cross  ; 
that  he  hath  wrought  out  a  robe  of  rlghLeousncss  by  the  obedience  of 
his  life  to  adorn  us  ;  that  he  ever  lives  to  pray  for  us.  Yea  daily, 
constantly  to  know  him,  as  dwelling  in  my  heart  by  faith,  ever  pre- 
sent with  me  to  the  joy  of  my  mind,  and  to  the  peace  of  my  con- 
science. And  truly,  beloved,  if  thou  art  not  thus  kept  knowing 
Jesus,  looking  to  Jesus,  feeding  upon  him  continually  in  thy  heart  by- 
faith,  thou  wilt  kno^v  and  feel  other  things,  which  will  creep  in  ;uul 
sadly  distress  thy  mind.  The  voice  of  the  law  w  ill  be  heard  in  thy 
conscience,  backed  by  satan's  injections,  and  thou  wilt  find  anguish  of 
spirit  and  bitterness  of  soul.  But  by  sweetly  abiding  in  the  know- 
ledge of  Jesus,  by  faith,  thou  shalt  manfully  stand  thy  ground,  and 
courageously  conquer  and  triumph.  "  So  shall  grace  and  peace  be 
multiplied  through  the  knowledge  of  God  and  of  Jesus  our  Lord, — 
2  Pet.  i.  2. 

Vol.  L  N  n 


294  OCTOBER  8. 

Happy  is  he  that  cofidemneth  not  himself  in  that  which  he 
alloweth. — Rom.  xiv.  22. 

There  are  many  things  of  a  civil,  moral  and  religious  nature, 
t\'hicli  are  in  themselves  indifferent.  Yet,  as  to  compliance  or  non- 
compliance w^ith  them,  they  are  far  from  being  matters  of  indiffer- 
ence to  the  mind  of  a  believer.  As  he  has  an  inward  consciousness 
of  his  outward  behaviour,  so  he  finds  within  himself  a  sentence  of 
condemnation  when  he  acts  contrary  to  the  dictates  of  his  own  know- 
ledge and  conscience.  It  may  be  the  disciple  of  Jesus  often  finds 
some  tilings  of  a  doubtful  nature,  wherein  he  doth  not  see  the  word 
of  God  to  be  express  and  clear  in  determining.  The  upright  soul, 
the  tender  conscience  knows  not  how  to  act;  is  afraid  of  doing  wrong: 
he  asks  advice  of  ministers  and  christian  brethren,  but  they  can- 
not fully  satisfy  his  scruples  and  set  his  mind  at  liberty,  how  he  ought 
to  demean  himself. 

Here  the  apostles  give  a  full  and  peremptory  answer.  The  heart 
of  every  believer  is  purified  from  an  evil  conscience  by  the  blood  of 
Jesus,  and  instructed  in  the  knowledge  of  the  truth  by  his  word  and 
Spirit.  Hence  there  is  an  inward  perception  of  what  tends  to  wound 
and  condemn  it.  Happy  art  thou,  disciple,  if  thou  dost  not  wilfully 
allow  thyself  in  any  thing  for  which  thy  conscience  condemns  tliee. 
Never  allow  thyself  in  any  outward  practice,  which  is  attended  with 
inward  condemnation.  Is  it  of  a  trifling  and  indifferent  nature  in 
itself?  pretend  not  to  plead  for  it.  Canst  thou  be  content  to  make 
thy  conscience  thine  enemy,  to  incur  its  censure,  and  to  impair  thy 
peace,  for  a  trife?  Whatever  thou  takest  in  hand  remember  the 
end,  and  thou  shalt  not  do  amiss.  This  advice  is  excellent ;  it  is 
thy  wisdom  to  follow  it ;  it  is  thy  privilege  to  plead  for  power  at  a 
throne  of  grace.  Consider  daily  thy  calling;  it  is  to  live  in  sweet 
fellowship  with  Jesus,  to  enjoy  peace  in  thy  conscience,  and  holiness 
and  happiness  in  life.  Whatever  is  contrary  to  this,  will  make  tb.ce 
unhappy.  As  a  son  of  the  most  high  God,  and  a  servant  of  the 
precious  Jesus,  thou  art  called  not  topjease  thy  flesh,  not  to  do  thy 
own  will,  not  to  gratify  thy  own  lusts,  yea  not  to  destroy  thy  own 
,,eacc,  but  to  glorify  thy  God  and  Saviour,  in  doing  his  will.  It  is 
most  plain  and  evident  from  the  apostles'  exhortations,  tliat  if  be- 
irfevcrs'  walk  and  practice  are  not  consistent  with  the  truth  they  may 
most  certainly  deprive  themselves  of  the  sweet  sense  and  comfortal)lc 
enjoyment  of  the  peace  and  love  of  God.  Consider  deeply,  weigh 
attentively  the  force  and  meaning  of  these  words,  «  A-.c/^  yourselves 
in  the  love  of  God,"  Jude  xxi.  «  Let  the  peace  of  God  rule  in  your 
bcartV'  Col.  iii.  15. 


OCTOBER  9.  295 

God  hath  from   the  beginning  chosen  you  to  salvation, 

through^ sanctification   of  the  Spirit^  and  heliif  of  the 

truth. — 2  Thess.  ii.  13. 
Wc  live  in  a  day  when  pride  vcigns,  the  creature  is  exalted,  the 
Holy  Ghost  resisted,  and  truth  is  trampled  under  foot.  The  doc- 
trine of  God's  distinguishing  grace  and  electing  love  in  Christ  Jesus, 
is  now  as  it  ever  was,  to  men  of  corrupt  minds,  destitute  <jf  the  truth, 
a  bone  of  contention.  They  have  ndling  accusations,  great  swell- 
ing words  to  utter  against  it ;  their  mouths  are  not  stopped,  because 
they  see  not  themselves  guilty  before  God,  Rom.  iii.  15-  Saitli 
Paul  of  such,  "  They  are  under  a  strong  delusion,  they  have  plea- 
sure in  unrighteousness."  They  are  left  to  sport  themselves  with 
their  own  vain  proud  delusions.  Then  he  adds,  "  but  we  are 
bound  to  give  thanks  for  God's  election  of  you  brethren,  beloved  of 
the  Lord."  True  ministers  of  Jesus  join  with  blessed  apostle^,  in 
giving  praise  to  God  the  Father  for  his  love  to  poor  sinners  in  Christ 
Jesus.     They  know  God's  love  existed  before  time  began. 

The  doctrine  of  election  is  not  a  mere  speculation,  nor  can  it  tend 
to  liccntiovisness  ;  but  it  is  of  the  essence  of  vital  godliness,  and  is 
attended  with  the  most  holy  and  blessed  effects,  where  received  into 
the  heart  in  the  love  of  it.  For  the  same  Lord  who  purposed  to 
brings  many  sons  to  glory,  hath  also  ordained  the  means,  "  sancti- 
fication  of  the  Spirit,  and  belief  of  the  truth."  How  could  Paul 
know  these  professors  were  beloved  and  elected?  Truly  the  effects 
proved  the  cause.  Th(?y  saw  the  fruits  of  electing  love  spring  forth 
under  the  energy  of  the  blessed  spirit.  They  were  brought  lo  be- 
lieve in,  love  and  cleave  to  the  sanctifyir^;  hiiluence  it  had  upon  their 
hearts  and  lives. 

"  Behold  mine  elect,  in  whom  my  soul  delighteth,"  said  the  Father 
of  all  consolations  to  his  church,  concenung  Jesus,  Isa.  xlii.  I. 
He  is  the  blessed  object  in  whom  we  are  chosen,  who  has  finished 
our  salvation,  and  to  whom  we  are  to  look  by  faith.  Yet,  O  believer, 
trace  the  streams  of  thy  mercy  to  tlie  fountain  head;  see  thy  obli- 
gations equully  to  the  Father's  love,  the  Son's  redemption,  and  the 
Spirit's  operations.  Thus  all  salvation  is  of  God;  thou  hast  noiliing 
whereof  to  glory;  all  cause  for  deepest  humility;  the  greatest  reason 
for  rejoicing  day  by  day.  What  heights  of  love  art  thou  called  to! 
What  inflamed  aff-xtions  should  possess  thy  hea<-t  I  "  Only  lei  thy 
conversation  be  as  becometh  the  gospel  of  Christ,"  Phil.  i.  27. 


296  OCTOBER  10. 

IVork  out  your  oxvn  salvation  with  fear  atid  trembling 

Phil.  ii.  12. 

The  salvation  of  lost  sinnners,  from  first  to  last,  is  all  of  grace 
not  of  works,  Rom.  xi.  16.  It  was  planned  in  the  covenant  of 
grace  ;  by  the  grace  of  Jesus  it  i^Jinished.  The  moment  we  believe 
on  Jesus,  salvation  is  ours  ;  it  is  our  own  salvation.  Mind  that. 
Why  are  wti  called  to  work  it  out  ?  Consider,  salvation  implies  deliv- 
eraiice  from  dangers  and  enemies.  Are  we  not  surrounded  with 
these,  without  as  well  as  within  ?  The  legality  of  our  spirits,  the 
pride  of  our  natures,  the  lusts  of  the  flesh,  the  carnal  reasonings 
of  our  minds,  unbelief  of  the  offspring  of  them,  the  rebellion  of 
our  wills,  the  self-righteousness  of  our  hearts,  the  worldly  mindedness 
of  our  desires,  the  carnality  of  our  affections,  the  turbulency  of  our 
passions,  Sec.  say,  are  not  these  like  a  legion  of  enemies  to  our  sal- 
vation? Is  not  satan,  our  grand  adversary,  ever  working  by 
means  of  these  enemies  to  bring  us  into  dangers  and  distress,  if  by 
any  means  he  may  prevent  our  peaceably  possessing,  and  eternally 
enjoying  salvation  ? 

Judge  them,  O  believer,  is  not  deliverance  from  danger  through 
tliese  enemies  needful  ?  Is  there  not  a  necessity  for  thy  working  out 
thy  deliverance  from  their  force  and  fraud?  Is  there  not  need  for 
faith  to  work  by  love,  striving  against  sin,  resisting  satan,  mortify- 
ing the  flesh,  perfecting  holiness,  fruitful  in  good  works?  The  com- 
mands of  thy  Cod  make  the  work  of  faith,  the  labour  of  love,  and 
the  patience  of  hope  necessary.     The  gospel  requires,  love  con- 
Stiains  to  be  much  in  prayer  and  meditation,  searching  the  scrip, 
tures,  and  in  all  holy  ordinances;  and  to  encourage  to  this,  ever 
remember,  it  is  «  God  who  worketh  in  us  both  to  will  and  to  do." 
"  Be  strong,  for  I  am  with  you,"  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts.  Hag.  ii.  4. 
Does  all  thy  happiness  consist  in   the  comlortable  enjoyment  of  the 
full  assurance  of  this  salvation?  Then  ''  work  it  out  with  fear  and 
trembling,"     Fear  to  think  of  establisliing  thy  works  and  duties  as 
thine  own  righteousness,  or  to  procure  the  favor  of  thy  God.     Treiw 
ble  to  entei-tain  any  hope  of  salvation,  but  by  the  atoning  blood  of 
Jesusj  and  the  perfect  righteousness  of  Jesus;  any  way  of  access  to 
God,  but  through  his  mediation.     Fear  and  tremble,  above  all,  al"ier 
thou  ^Last  done  all,  to  think  1  am  fier/ect.     Know,  thou  art  still 
"  an  unprofitable  servant."     Tremble  to  entertain  lh«  least  notion 
that    thy  might,    thy.  power,    thy   truthfulness,    hath  wrought.^ny 
thing  as  terms  and  conditions  to  procure  salvation.     Fear  ever  to 
asciibe  any  glory  to  thyself.     "  Whoso  looketh  into  the  pcifcct  law 
of  liberty,  and  continucth  therein,  he  being  not  a  forgetful  hearer, 
but  a  doer  of  the  work,  tliis  man  shall  be  blessed  m  his  deed," 
James  i.  25. 


OCTOBER  11.  297 

Let  your  li^ht  so  shine  before  men,  that  they  may  see  your 
good  worksy  and  glorify  your  Father  which  is  in  hea- 
ven.— Matt.  V.  16. 

Cak  a  lump  of  ivnimatecl  clay,  a  wonn  of  llic  carih,  a  creature 
of  a  day,  glorify  the  infinitely  great  luid  eternally  glorious  Jehovah  ? 
Yes  :  such  honor,  such  exalted  honor  have  all  his  saints.  For  his 
pleasure  they  were  created  at  first  ;  for  his  glory  th«y  are  bom 
again  of  his  Spirit.  Jesus  commands  his  members  to  it  as  their 
duty  ;  the  Spirit  enables  to  it  as  their  greatest  privilege.  «  The 
Father  accepts,  and  is  well  pleased  wiih,  and  declaies  himself  glori- 
fied by  the  practice  of  his  children,"  Psalm  1.  23.  Did  Samuel 
consent  to  Saul's  retiucst,  "  Honor  me  now,  1  pray  thee,  beiore  the 
ciders  of  rny  people  ;"  1  Sam.  xv.  30.  And  canst  ihou,  O  son  of 
the  Most  High,  ever  need  a  motive,  or  want  an  argument  to  glorify 
thy  Father  before  men  ?  It  is  to  be  the  chief  woik  ol  thy  lite.  ,  I« 
this  work,  as  Moses  said  to  Pharaoh,  so  thy  deliverer  saith  to  thee, 
«•  not  an  hoof  is  to  be  left  behind."  With  ali  tliat  thou  hast  and  art, 
thou  art  to  glorify  thy  Lord. 

Thou  hast  but  one  thing  only,  but  what  thou  hast  received  from 
thy  Lord  ;  this  is  sin  :  by  this  thou  dishonoiest  thy  God  ;  by  every 
thing  contrary  to  this,  God  is  glorified.  Happy  souls,  who  study 
God's  word  as  the  rule  of  their  conduct,  consider  the  enjoyment  of 
God  in  Christ  as  their  greatest  felicity,  and  direct  all  their  views  to 
liis  glory.  Thus  the  light  of  Jesus,  when  it  shines  u»to  the  heart, 
beams  forth  its  evidence  and  glory  hi  the  outward  life  and  conversa- 
tion. When  the  light  of  truth  is  accompanied  by  the  wajmth  of  love 
and  obedience  of  faith,  men  will  see  th.jt  we  have  been  with  Jesus  ; 
that  we  not  only  have  light  in  our  heads,  but  love  and  zeal  for  God's 
glory  in  our  hearts.  The  former  may  acquire  honor  to  ourselves  of 
being  good  talkeus  for  God,  but  the  latter  only  can  prove  that  we 
are  upright  walkers,  as  his  obedient  children;  tliit  wc  are  his 
"  peculiar  people,  by  being  zealous  of  good  works." — Tha.  we  arc 
really  concerned  for  his  glory,  that  wc  have  it  at  heart,  that  we  love, 
not  only  m  word,  but  also  in  deed  and  in  truth.  It  rs  the  genuine 
language  of  a  coavertcd  soul,  with  Paul,  "  Lord  what  wouklst  thou 
have  me  to  do  ?  It  is  the  burden  of  a  faithful,  loving  heart,  that  it 
doth  so  little  for  the  glory  of  God,  and  ever  longs  to  gbriiy  him  moi-e. 
While  the  light  of  truth  is  our  glory,  and  the  love  of  truth  is  our 
happiness,  we  shall  study  to  "adorn  the  doctrine  of  God  our  Saviour 
in  all  things,"  Titus  ii.  10. 


298  OCTOBER  12. 

Grieve  not  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God. — Eph.  iv.  30. 

How  affeciionate  and  condescending-  is  this  address  of  the  great 
God  and  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ  to  his  children  !  Paul  writes  to 
Philemon,  «  Thoutrli  I  might  be  bold  to  enjoin  thee  that  which  is 
convenient;  yet,  for  love's  sake,  I  rather  beseech  thee."  So  with 
infinitely  higher  autiiority,  the  Lord  might  command  with  terror, 
instead  of  beseech  with  love.  Astonishing  expression  !  Grieve  not 
the  holy  Spirit  of  God.  Hast  thou?  Canst  thou,  O  believer,  be 
guilty  in  this  matter  ?  II.  is  easy  to  conceive  that  we  may  grieve  our 
own  spirits,  and  the  spirits  of  good  men  by  our  sin  and  folly  :  but  to 
think  of  grieving  the  Spirit  of  God,  is  enough  to  malce  us  cry  out  in 
amazement,  What  mystery  of  love  is  this  ? 

But  verily,  so  dear  are  God's  children  to  him,  that  as  in  love  to 
our  souls  he  took  on  him  our  nature,  so  in  condescension  to  our 
weak  capacities,  he  borrows  language  from  nature,  and  assumes  to 
himself  passions  like  unto  ourselves  :  for  he  was  in  all  things  like 
imto  us,  but  without  sin.  So  it  is  said,  God  delights  in  the  pros- 
perity of  his  people,  he  rejoiceth  over  them  to  do  them  good.  But 
when,  through  their  sin  and  folly,  they  hurt  their  own  souls,  Jesus 
is  touched  with  a  feeling  of  our  infirmities  ;  liis  Spirit  is  grieved  at 
our  conduct. 

Who  can  tell  in  how  many  wcys  cliristians  do  this  ?  Inwardly  by 
giving  way  to  unbelief;  by  low  unworthy  thoughts  of  Jesus,  his 
blood,  righteousness  and  salvation;  his  mediation  and  intercession, 
cf  whom  the  Spirit  is  the  glorifier;  so  also  by  indulging  vain,  carnal, 
sinful  thoughts ;  outwardly,  by  neglecting  the  gospel  of  grace,  not 
walking  closely  with  Jesus  by  fiuth,  not  conforming  to  his  will  in  our 
lives  and  conversations  :  and  experience  woefully  convincelh,  that 
when  the  holy  Spirit  is  grieved,  the  poor  soul  is  distressed.  We 
never  send  the  Spirit  grieved  to  heaven,  but  he  leaves  our  spirits 
grieved  on  earth.  He  is  our  comforter  ;  by  him  believers  are  scaled 
unto  theday'of  i-cdemption.  Though  we  are  sealed  by  him,  as  the 
Lord's  own  possession,  yet  if  he  leaves  us  to  ourselves,  the  view  of 
Jesus  is  obscured  to  us,  and  his  comforts  are  withheld  from  us. 
Then  natural  fears,  legal  terrors,  and  desponding  doubts  seize  on 
us,  and  evil  spirits  rcjx>icc  over  us,  with  «« there,  there,  so  would  we 
have  k."  Though  he  never  becomes  the  Spirit  of  bondage  to  us, 
yet  he  leaves  us  to  the  bondage  of  our  own  legal  spirits.  What 
reason  have  we  to  pray  daily,  "  cleanse  thy  servant,  O  Jesus,  from 
his  secret  faidts  ;  and  let  not,  O  Spirit  of  grace,  presumptuous  sins 
get  the  dominion  over  mc,"  Psalm  xi'x.  12,  13. 

The  5i)iiit^ like  n  peaceful  dove,  Wliv  sliouM  wc  vex  and  t-rieve  his  love. 

Flies  Iroia  tlic  realms  ot'noisa  aiul  9tri.e,   Who  leatls  our  souls  to  hcav'iily  lilc .' 


OCTOBER  13.  299 

Casting  down  imaginations,  and  evert/  high  thing  tliat  ex- 
altctli  Itself  against  the  knowledge  of  God,  and  bringing 
i?ito   captivity  every  thought  to  the  obedierce  of  Christ, 
~2  Cor.  X.  5.       ^ 
It  is  fit  that  soldiers  of  Jesus  should  have  the  sentence  of  death 
in  themselves.     They  are  hereby  taught  not  to  trust  in  themselves. 
Though  armed  with  the  spiritual  weapons  of  their  warfare,  yet  ihey 
are  no  farther  mighty  and-  conciucring  butas  aided  by  the  power  of 
God.     Poor  souls,  by  trusting  to  their  graces  instead  of  the  Clod  of 
all  grace,  have  been  foiled  by  the  enemy,  tu^.d  have  fallen.     "  I  wUl 
not  trust  in  my  bow,  neither  shall  my  sword  s;:ve  me  :  but,  through 
the  Lord,  will  we  push  down  our  enemies,"  Psal.  xliv.  5,  6.     This  is 
the   language  of  faith,  this  the  confidence  of  humble  souls  :  after 
believers  have  escaped  the  corruptions  that  are  in  the  world  through 
lust,  and  have  been  turned  from  their  sinful  courses  to  the  Lord 
Jesus,  then  danger  threatens  from  another  quarter  ;  self-rightcous- 
ncss  will  exalt  its  baneful  head  against  them.     ''Now  I  am  somebody ; 
I  hive  received  inherent  grace  and  strength,  I  am  justified,  my  sins 
are  pardoned,  and  I  have  got  a  clean  heart."     Thus  towering  imagi- 
nations swell  against  God's  everlasting  love,  his  election  of  grace,  the 
imputed  righteousness  of  Jesus,  and  final  perseverance  of  the  saints. 
When  these  •evangelical  truths  are  rejected,  it  argues  that  pride, 
self-sufficiency,    and   self-righteousness   prevail.     Verily,  O   soul, 
"  thou  trustest  in  thine  own  beauty,  and  piayest  the  harlot,  because 
of  thy  renown.     Woe,  woe,  unto  thee."     This  is  a  severe  reproof 
from  the  mouth  of  the  Lord,  Ezck.  xvi.  SO.     St.  Austin  is  peremp- 
tory, "  that  it  hath  been  profitable  to  ^mc  proud  spirits  to  fall  into 
gross  ofi-ence  ;  for  they  have  not  lost  so  much  by  their  fall  as  they 
have  got  by  being  down.''     It  is  better  to  l)c  humble  under  sin,  ihiui 
to  be  proud  of  grace.     God  will  suflcr  no  0.  sh  to  glory  in  his  pre- 
sence  ;  his  truths  tried  at  the  bar  of  carnJ  reason  will  be  rejected. 
But  as  free-grace  truths  are  precious  to  that  Spirit  who  indited  them, 
so  he  will  bring  disciples  to  submit  to  them.     To  reject  the  doctrines 
of  grace,  mider  a  specious  pretence  to  holuicss,  is  to  blaspheme  the 
Godof  wisdom.  High  thoughtsof  ourselves  oppose  the  truths  of  God; 
vain  imaginations  strengthen  self-confidence,  which  is  conti-ary  to  the 
faith  of  C'nrist.     To  see  Jesus  all  in  all,  and  to  sec  ourselves  nothing 
at  all,  is  to  see  and  know  aright,  in  the  light  of  t.  uih,  and  by  the 
views  of  the  Spirit  of  truth.     There  is  an  inward  obedience  of  the 
heart,  a  submission  to  the  righteousness  of  God,  as  well  as  an  out- 
ward obedient  walk.     There  may  be  much  of  the  pride  a,id  hohnes5 
of  the  Pharisee  without,  where  there  is  none  of  the  simple-  faiUi  anJ 
love  of  Jesus  within. 


500  OCTOBER  14. 

I  came  not  to  send  peace  on  earth,  but  a  ^lyorc/.-Matt.  x.  34. 

Is  not  our  Saviour  the  prince  of  peace  ?  Haih  he  not  made 
peace  between  God  and  man,  by  the  blood  of  his  cross  ?  Doth  he  not 
give  peace  in  the  conscience,  and  establish  peace  among  his  people  ? 
Is  it  not  the  essence  of  the  gospel  to  preach  peace  by  Christ  !  All 
this  is  true.  Why  then  doth  my  Lord  say,  "^I  came  not  to  send 
peace,  but  a  sword  ?"  Conceive  not  of  the  meek  Lamb  as  though  his 
soul  delighted  in  war,  and  that  the  SAVord  of  slaughter  should  be  drunk 
•with  human  blood.  No  :  he  came  not  to  destroy  men's  lives,  but  to 
save  them.  Therefore  this  sword  is  no  other  than  the  «  sword  of 
the  Spirit,  the  word  of  God."  It  is  rendered  in  St.  Luke,  division. 
This  sword  divides  and  separates  a  christian  from  his  carnal  friends 
and  relations  ;  yea,  divides  asvmder  flesh  and  Spirit.  Hence  open 
war  commences,  and  hostilities  begin  ;  for  there  never,  never  can  be 
any  peace,  harmony,  and  agreement,  subsisting  between  carnal  and 
spiritual  men,  no  more  than  between  flesh  and  Spirit  in  the  christian. 
These  are  contrary  to,  and  at  continual  war  with  each  other.  "  Wars 
and  fightings  come  from  your  lusts."  Sin  is  the  cause  of  all  con- 
tention and  division  among  men  :  every  jchristiaii  is  a  soldier ;  the 
sword  of  the  Spirit,  the  word  of  God  is  one  blessed  part  of  his  ai'mour. 
By  this  he  is  enabled  to  resist  satan,  subdue  his  lusts,  cut  down  un- 
belief, and  so  stand  his  ground  against  every  enemy  from  the  world, 
flesh,  and  devil,  which  are  always  in  battle  array  against  him. 

Thus  the  weapons  of  thy  warfare,  O  soul,  are  not  carnal,  but  spir- 
itual and  mighty,  through  God,  "to  the  pulling  down  die  strong 
holds  of  satan."  Though  earth  and  hell  are  at  war  against  thee,  yet 
strengthen  thyself  in  thy  God,  he  is  on  thy  side.  Fortify  thyself  by 
the  word  of  his  truth.  This,  for  thy  comfort,  assures  thee,  «  No 
weapon  that  is  formed  against  thee  shall  pi-ospcr,  and  every  tongue 
that  shall  rise  against  thee  in  judgment,  thou  shalt  condemn,"  Isa. 
liv.  17.  By  "this  sword  of  the  Spirit  thou  shalt  prevail  :  by  the 
blood  of  the  Lamb  thou  shalt  overcome."  "  Not  by  might  or  powe  r 
but  by  my  Spirit,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts,"  Zech.  iv.  6.  Alas  !  the 
poor  sensible  soul  is  ready  to  say,  my  strength  is  small,  my  arm  is 
weak  ;  though  such  a  weapon  is  put  into  my  hand,  I  have  neither  skill 
nor  courage  to  use  it  ariglit ;  sin,  satan,  and  the  world  will  be  too 
stroncj  for,  and  overcome  me  at  last.  No  :  that  is  impossible. 
Though  weak  as  infancy,  feeble  as  childhood,  this  blessed  word  exact- 
ly suits  our  state,  and  is  a  cordial  to  our  spirits,  "  Ye  arc  of  God, 
little  children,  and  have  overcome  them."  Why  so?  Because 
g;reater  is  he  that  is  in  you,  than  he  that  is  in  tliC  world,"   1  John  iv.  4. 


OCTOBER  15.  301 

Jesus  said  unto  them^   JFIiy  sltep  yc?  rise  and  pray ^  lest 
ye  enter  into  temptation. — Luke  xxii.  46. 

The  dull,  sleepy  fr^nies  of  disciples  though  nutural  lo  ihcm, 
are  by  no  means  commendable  in  tliem,  nor  are  they  to  find  excuses 
for  them  as  thoue;h  this  was  a  sleepy  state  of  tlie  churches,  and  so 
we  were  to  lie  down  and  take  our  rest.  This  is  injuiious  to  the 
honor  of  our  dear  muster,  brinies  discredit  upon  his  cause  and  interest, 
is  very  uncomfortable,  and  exposes  skcpuig  souls  to  many  wid 
great  dangers  :  tliough  love  muy  excuse  it,  yet  will  Jesus  sharply 
reprove  for  it.  Why  sleep  ye  ?  wherefore  do  you  indulge  yourselves 
with  sloth  when  you  are  called  to  activity  ?  sleep  is  unreasonable 
when  danger  is  near.  Ye  know,  my  beloved  disciples,  your  adver- 
sary satan  is  ever  wakeful,  watchful,  busy  in  plotting  and  seeking 
to  rob  you  of  your  shield  of  faith.  Is  this  a  time  to  be  sluggish?  to 
fold  your  hands  and  cry,  a  little  more  carnal  ease  and  worldly 
pleasures,  a  little  more  spiritual  slimiber?  Most  inexcusable  to  be 
taking  sleepy  opiates  of  pleasure  to  indulge  the  flesh,  and  intoxicat- 
ing draughts  from  the  world  to  drown  the  Spirit.  What  meanest 
thou,  O  sleeper?  "  arise  and  call  upon  thy  God."  Say  not  "  I  am  ia 
an  unsuitable  frame,  dull,  and  heavy."  Thou  readcst  of  no  such 
reply  from  these  drowsy  disciples  to  their  master.  Wilt  thou  stay 
till  thou  art  rich  before  thou  wilt  be  industrious?  He  who  calls  to 
duty  is  both  able  and  willing  to  give  strength  in  duty,  and  power  to 
perform  it.  Take  with  you  words  and  say,  Jesus  will  give  the  Spirit 
to  pray.  Ever  remember,  prayers  move  God,  not  as  ioi  orator  moves 
his  hearers,  but  as  the  cry  of  a  beloved  child  moves  an  affectionate 
father  when  we  are  out  of  the  reach  of  djinger,  prayer  will  be  need- 
less. But  when  will  that  be?  not  in  this  life;  not  till  every  enemy  is 
destroyed;  that  will  not  be  till  death  is  swallowed  up  in  life. 

Now  there  is  danger  from  temptation.  Temptation  cannot  hurt  us, 
but  entering  into  the  temptation  will.  Jesus  was  in  all  things  tempt- 
ed Uke  as  we  are,  yet  without  sin ;  his  temptations  were  all  w  ilhout 
him;  they  could  not  enter  in  to  defile  him;  but  they  may  us: 
when  the  love  of  the  world  enters  and  prevails,  the  sense  of  the  love 
of  God  is  lost:  when  the  lusts  of  the  flesh  get  power,  the  consola- 
tions of  the  Spirit  are  not  enjoyed;  when  ease  and  happiness  arc  ex- 
pected from  any  other  object  but  Jesus,  the  precious  Saviour  U 
slighted  and  disestcemed :  then  our  views  of  his  love  are  eclipsed, 
and  our  souls  miserably  darkened.  "  The  end  of  ;dl  things  is  at  hand, 
be  ye  tliercfore  sober  and  watch  unto  praycrj"  1  Pet.  iv.  7. 

Mow  precious  is  our  Saviour's  love !  He  liates  tlie  slotli  ve'iesuhject  to,. 

How  tender  \\\»  complaint !  But  yet  lie  Igves  tUc  suint. 

Vol.  I.  O  o 


G02  OCTOBER  16. 

/  rejoice  at  thy  word^  as  one  that  Jindeth  great  spoil.-^^ 

Psalm  cxix,  162 
The  saints  of  God.iii  uU  ages  were  taught  by  the  same  Spirit, 
looked  for  the  same  si.ivut.ion,  and  were  comforted  by  the  same  truths 
found  in  the  word  of  the  Lord;  hence  the  word  is  so  precious  to 
them;  it  causes  rejoicing  of  soul  within  tiiem;  thus  it  is  of  the 
written  word  of  the  Lord  which  makes  known  his  everlasting,  loving 
designs  to  sinners  of  mankind :  this  also  is  true  of  tlie  essential, 
divine,  and  unci-eated  word.,  the  Lord  Jesus:  he  in  person  manifested 
God's  thoughts  of  love,  as  words  declare  what  is  in  the  mind:  Jesus 
lay  in  the  bosom  of  the  Father  from  eternity;  he  has  revealed  the 
Father's  eternal  Jove  to  us!  O,  he  who  findeth  Jesus  will  rejoice  in- 
deed. With  joy,  says  Philip,  "we  have  found  him  of  whom  Moses 
in  the  law,  and  the  prophets  did  write,"  John  i.  45.  Hath  a  con- 
queror who  hath  obtained  a  complete  victory  over,  and  is  enriching 
himself  with  the  spoils  of  a  wealthy  enemy,  cause  of  rejoicing?  how 
much  more  has  the  christian  daily  from  the  word  of  the  Lord.  Alas  I 
tlie  joy  of  the  one  is  but  momentary  and  uncertain;  what  he  hatli 
gained  in  war  to-day,  to-morrow  he  may  be  deprived  of;  but  joy 
through  the  victory  of  Jesus,  and  the  spoil  the  christian  reaps  from 
the  word  are  durable  and  eternal:  the  victory  of  Jesus  is  the  chris- 
tian's spoil ;  here  he  beholds  sin  subdued,  death  conquered,  satan 
vanquished,  hell  overcome,  and  a  crown  of  eternal  life  and  glory 
fully  obtained,  absolutely  ensured,  and  which  shall  most  certainly  be 
enjoyed.  In  the  written  word  of  the  Spirit  are  given  unto  us 
«  exceeding  great  and  precious  promises."  In  the  essential  word 
Jesus,  "  all  the  promises  are  in  him,  yea  and  amen,  to  the  glory  of 
God."  By  the  former  we  understand  '•  what  is  the  hope  of  our  call- 
ing, and  v/hat  the  riches  of  the  glory  of  our  inheritance  in  the  saints." 
By  the  latter,  union  with  Jesus  and  faith  in  him,  we  obtain  the  happy 
assurance  that  all  things  are  ours.  •'  Whether  ministers,  the  world, 
life,  death,  things  present,  or  things  to  come,  all  are  yours,  tmd 
yc  arc  Christ's,  and  Christ  is  God's,"  1  Cor.  iii.  22,  23.  And  "  no- 
thing shall  be  able  to  separate  us  from  the  love  of  God  which  is  in 
Christ  Jesus,"  Rom.  viii.  39. 

Blessed  be  God  for  the  word  of  his  grace,  the  dMe;  blessed  be 
God,  for  his  unspeakable  gift,  Jesus.  Here  is  thy  treasure,  O 
christian;  where  should  thy  heart  be  but  in  meditation  and  delight 
herahi  daily?  For  thou  canst  get  spiritual  joy  from  no  object  but 
victorious  Jesus,  set  before  thee  in  the  gospel;  and  the  clearer  thou 
seest  salvation  by  him,  so  will  thy  faith  be  stronger  u\  him;  this 
creates  spiritual  rejoicing  of  soul  continually. 

How  doth  thy  word  my  heart  engage!  When  nature  sinksand  spirits  droop, 

Hov  well  euii)Ioy  my  tongue  !  "     Tliy  promises  of  grace 

And  in  my  tiresome  pilgrimage  Are  pill.irs  to  support  my  hope  ; 

I'icjds  me  a  lieiv'nly  sojig.  And  tliertt  I  write  thj  praise. 


OCTOBER  17.  303 

Sin  shall  not  have  dominion  over  you :  for  ye  are  not  under 
the  law y  hilt  under  grace. — Rom.  vi.  14. 

Who  arc  under  the  law?  All  who  think  tlicy  can  fulfil  it,  seek 
to  be  made  righteous  by  it,  and  expect  salvation  from  it ;  all  such 
are  under  the  dominion  of  sin  and  the  curse  of  the  law.  Who  are 
under  grace  ?  all  who  (ly  from  the  luw  as  a  ministration  of  Condem- 
nation, embrace  the  gospel  as  a  ministration  of  righteousness,  and 
cleave  to  Jesus  and  expect  righteousness  and  salvation  in  him  o/j/j/. 
Over  such,  sin  has  no  power  to  destroy ;  they  arc  out  of  its  tenilo- 
rics,  in  another  kingdom  under  luiother  king:  Jesus  rules  in  and  over 
them;  and  he  says  of  every  one  of  them,  sin  shall  not  have  domi- 
nion over  you.  O,  what  a  heart-reviving  promise  is  this !  how 
delightful  to  hear  our  worst  foe,  our  bitterest  enemy  shall  not  lord  it 
over  us!  Art  thou,  C)  disciple,  ready  to  cry  out,  Would  to  Clod  sin 
had  no  being  in  me,  then  I  should  be  completely  happy  I  Remember 
what  thy  Saviour  said  to  his  mother,  "  Mine  hour  is  iiul  yet  come," 
John  ii.  4.  It  is  enough  that  thou  art  called  to  the  marriage  of  the 
I^atTfb;  the  bridegroom  keeps  the  best  wine  lor  the  last;  this  is 
excellent  wine  on  earth,  sin  shall  not  have  dominion  over  us;  in  glory, 
sin  shall  have  no  being  in  us. 

Be  assured,  O  christian,  thine  enemies  are  all  conquered,  though 
sense  and  experience  afford  thee  daily  proof  they  are  not  all  doi.d. 
Never  think  of  laying  down  thine  arms,  folding  thine  hands,  uiid 
setting  up  thy  rest  here;  thou  art  still  in  the  camp;  the  enemj  lies 
in  wait  to  take  all  advantage ;  but  here  is  thy  victory,  though  sin  is 
an  enemy,  whose  life  is  commensurate  with  the  life  of  thy  flesh; 
though  so  nearly  allied  to  thee  that  it  i?  part  of  thyself ;  yet,  being 
one  Avith  Jesus,  thou  hast  a  spiritual  and  eternal  life,  and  the  power 
of  omnipotence  is  engaged  to  preserve  and  keep  thee;  therefore  sin 
shall  not  maintain  its  usurpation,  nor  hold  dominion  over  thy  soul; 
its  empire  is  dethroned,  the  kingdom  of  Jesus  is  set  up  in  thy  heart, 
Christ  dwells  there  by  faith,  thy  heart  is  sprinkled  from  an  evil  con- 
science by  his  blood;  he  who  hath  conciuercd  for  thee  will  also  con- 
quer in  thee. 

Take  heed  of  a,state  of  independence  on  him,  and  vain  confidence 
in  thyself;  think  not  the  root  and  being  of  sin  are  destroyed,,  and 
thyself  in  a  sinless  state;  for  then  thou  hast  no  need  of  Jesus,  f^ilh  in 
him,  hope  on  him,  nor  prayer  to  him.  O,  if  satan  thus  rocks  any 
poor  sinner  asleep,  it  is  in  the  cradle  of  delusion,  while  he  sings  a 
sweet  siren's  song:  be  ever  active  and  vigilant  to  oppose  and  con- 
quer thy  inbred  foe.  Daily  attend  this  wholesome  advice,  «'  Let  not 
sin  reign  in  your  mortal  body,  that  you  sliould  obey  it  in  the  lusts 
thereof,"  ver,  12. 


304  OCTOBER  18. 

Wherefore  we  labour^  that  -whether  present  or  absent  zve 
may  be  accepted  of  him, — 2  Cor.  v.  9. 

"  In  all  labour  there  is  profit,"  Prov.  xiv.  23.  The  belief  of 
this  maketh  the  heart  diligent,  lively,  aiid  active.  When  Nehemiah 
was  stirred  up  to  build  the  Wall  of  Jerusalem  amidst  the  scoffs  and 
opposition  of  enemies  on  every  side,  yet,  in  prayer,  watching,  and 
working  he  and  his  brethren  wrought  with  one  hand,  a  guard  \\\  the 
other,  and  this  confidence  of  faith  in  their  hearts,  "  Our  God  shall 
ght  for  us,"  Neh.  iv.  20.  Thus  animated  they  laboured  till  the 
work  was  finished. 

Thus  the  beloved  brethren  of  Jesus  are  called  to  be  "  stedfast, 
immoveable,  always  abounding  in  the  work  of  the  Lord;"  being  con- 
fident that  the  Lord  fights  for  them,  and  "  knowing  assuredly  that 
their  labour  is  not  in  vain  in  the  Lord"  The  labour  of  love  is 
pleasant,  it  is  profitable  to  the  believing  heart ;  the  work  of  faith  is 
delightful  to  the  soul  while  it  exercises  the  patience  of  hope.  Most 
reviving  consideration !  we  serve  not  a  hard  task-master;  we  labour 
not  for  a  rigorous,  severe  Lord;  we  obey  not  from  base,  mercenary 
principles.  No;  every  command  of  Jesus  is  in  love;  every  work  we 
do  in  his  name  is  from  love  to  spiritual  good  as  well  as  to  his  glory: 
we  have  the  fullest  assurance  that  we  are  ''  accepted  in  the  beloved." 
We  are  not  left  to  doubt  of  the  way  of  acceptance,  nor  to  do  any  thing 
to  procure  it;  the  truth,  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  forbids  all  this;  but 
knowing  our  persons  are  accepted  in  Jesus,  this  is  the  most  enliven- 
ing, powerful  motive  not  only  to  do,  but  also  to  abound  in  those  things 
with  which  God  is  well  pleased;  to  study  to  please  God  in  our  walk 
and  way,  cheerfully  to  lay  out  ourselves  in  his  service,  unreservedly 
to  give  up  ourselves  wholly  to  the  Lord;  O,  this  is  the  sweet  exer- 
cise of  faith  and  love.  Shall  wc  pretend  to  believe  that  Jesus  is  our 
Saviour  and  that  wc  are  accepted  in  him,  and  yet  not  labour  and  strive 
that  our  works  may  please  him?  Not  study  and  endeavour,  as 
assisted  by  his  Spirit,  to  avoid  those  things  that  are  contrary  to  his 
nature  and  commands?  Alas  1  this  is"  hail,  master;"  only  like  Judas 
to  give  a  kiss  of  hypocrisy,  while  faith  in  him  and  love  to  him  are 
wanting. 

Thou  disciple  of  Jesus,  from  that  moment  thou  didst  enter  into  the 
restvof  Jesus  by  faith,  tliou  art  called  to  labour,  that  thy  works  may 
please  God,  and  be  accepted  of  him ;  and  when  the  heart  is  whole 
with  its  Saviour  and  simply  looking  to  him,  need  one  forbid  such 
a  soul  to  refrain  from  the  vain  pastimes  and  sinful  gratifications  of  a 
carnal  world  ?  No  ;  he  saith  these  things  do  not  please  my  Lord, 
they  cannot  be  acceptable  to  him,  they  shall  not  ensnare  me,  I  can- 
not displease  my  Saviour.  "  Wc  love  him  because  he  first  lovecl 
us,"   1  John  iv.  19. 


OCTOBER  19.  305 

And  he  said,  IxviUmake  all  my  goodyiess  pass  before  thee^ 
and  1  -will  prodaim  the  name  of  the  Lord  btfore  tlicc  ; 
and  wdl  he  gracious  to  whom  I  -will  be  gracious,  and  will 
shew  mercy  onwhomlwill  shew  /«crcy.-Exod.xxxiii.  19. 

Carnal  reason,  pride,  and  unbelief,  like  a  threefold  coitl,  binds 
the  soul  under  legal  bondage  ;  each  of  these  mutually  suu.gthens 
the  other,  and  all  combine  to  oppose  the  sovereign  goodness  and 
grace  of  our  Lord.  Instead  of  believing  in,  so  as  to  be  comforu  il  by 
free-^race  declarations  from  our  God,  how  apt  are  we  to  consult  flcbh 
and  blood  1  How  prone  to  reject  ihem,  because  we  cannot  reconcile 
them  to  our  carnal  reason  !  here  is  the  grand  source  of  that  dan.,iing 
sin,  unbelief.  Marvel  not,  believer,  though  the  pride  of  thy  flesh 
rises  and  rebels  against  distinguishing  grace  and  disci  iminatu.g  love. 
This,  though  sweet  to  the  experience  of  faith,  is  bitter  to  the  sto- 
mach of  rebellious  nature;  but  hei-e  is  thy  mercy  ;  grace,  which  is 
sovereign  in  its  nature,  is  saving  in  its  operations  ;  all  must  be  re- 
solved  into  this  humbling  acknowledgment,  ^'  I,  a  poor  smner,  who 
could  neither  will  nor  run  the  way  of  saivaUon  ;  tlie  Lord  wills  to 
shew  me  his  goodness,  to  procPaim  his  name,  to  bestow  his  grace, 
and  comfort  me  with  his  mercy  in  Christ  Jesus,  to  the  salvation  of 
my  precious  soul.  . 

Thus  the  Lord  speaks  in  love  ;  let  all  his  children  hear  in  faith, 
rejoice,  and  be  humbled.  Where,  O  soul,  canst  thou  fix  thy  foot, 
but  thou  standest  upon  the  ground  of  Iree  grace  ?  HaSt  thou  faith? 
It  is  of  grace.  Dost  tliou  find  pardon  of  sin  and  coi.solaiion  of  lieart 
in  Christ  Jesus?  It  is  of  grace.  Dost  thou  Move  God?  It  is  because 
he  has  first  loved  thee."  Dost  tliou  hate  sin  as  contrary  to  God  s 
glory  and  thy  soul's  peace  ?  What  astonishing  grace  is  this  !  Con  - 
sider  it  on  thy  knees  ;  reflect  on  it  with  m.  .'ii.gs  of  soul.  AVhy 
shouldst  thou  be  singled  out.by  the  power  of  the  word,  markedly 
the  grace  of  the  Spirit  for  salvation,  when  many  hundreds  pens., 
everlasting  ?  Why  arc  thine  eyes  opcr.c d  amidst  a  throng  of  blind 
sinners?  Why  art  thou  watered,  like  Gideon's  fleece,  while  others 
are  dry  ?  Was  thy  nature  better,  thy  desires  holier  ?  What  con- 
tions  hadst  thou  performed  to  procure  this  ?  Grace  has  taught  thy 
soul  otherwise  than  so  to  think  ;  all  must  be  re.olved  into  this  sou  - 
humbling,  God-exalting  truth,  >  I  will  be  gracious  to  whom  I  will 
be  gracious."  Here  is  an  inexhaustible  source  of  comfort;  this  a 
never-failing  motive  to  love  and  obedience  ;  thai  grace  and  mercy 
which  God  owes  to  no  one  sinner  on  card.,  he  h.s  f.ccly  given  to 
thee  ;  it  is  thy  privilege  to  rejoice  in  it,  thy  duty  to  confess  it,  and 
to  lie  in  the  dust  and  be  humble.  "  If  l>y  gf^cc,  .it  is  no  more  ok 
Avorks,"  Rom.  xi.  6. 


306  OCTOBER  20. 

This  same  Jesus  which  is  taken  up  from  you  into  heaven^ 
shall  so  come  in  like  manner  as  ye  have  seen  him  go  into 
heaven — Acts.  i.   11. 

The  parting  of  dear  friends  is  very  grievous  and  affecting ;  but 
sorrow  is  alleviated  from  expectation  of  meeting  again.  O  the  joy 
of  meeting  our  dear  friends  in  glory,  who  are  gone  before  !  but 
what  will  heighten  all,  will  be  sight  and  enjoyment  of  our  best 
friend  and  dearest  Saviour.  The  disciples  were  looking  stedfastly  to 
heaven,  after  their  dear  master  ascended  to  glory,  when  they  receiv- 
ed this  assurance  :  they  saw  his  human  form,  the  same  dear  man, 
their  beloved  companion  with  whom  they  had  so  often  eat  and  drank 
and  taken  sweet  counsel,  and  who  was  lately  crucified,  deadj  and 
buried  ;  this  very  man  Jesus  they  saw  ascend  :  the  Son  of  God  came 
from  heaven  in  Spirit ;  he  assumed  a  body  of  flesh  imd  blood  ;  he 
lived  in  it  on  earth  ;  and  having  "  finished  the  work  his  Father  gave 
him  to  do,  he  took  the  same  body  with  him  to  glory  :  this  same 
Jesus  shall  so  come  again  in  like  manner."  Every  eye  shall  see  hira 
in  the  last  day  in  his  human  form. 

Thus  in  all  the  transactions  of  Jesus  by  faith,  we  "  behold  the 
WAN."  View  him  in  his  birth,  an  outcast  babe  in  poverty ;  in 
advanced  years  of  life,  "  a  man  of  sorrows  and  acquainted  with  grief, 
despised  and  rejected  of  men  ;"  in  death  he  died  as  another  man  ; 
yea,  an  accursed  death,  as  a  malefactor ;  in  hi?  resurrection  and 
ascension  with  a  human  body  like  our  own;  such  was  thy  Saviour, 
believer,  a  man  "like  unto  thyself  in  all  things,  but  without  sin  :" 
and  having  perfectly  expiated  and  atoned  for  all  our  sins,  he  is  now 
at  the  right  hand  of  God,  the  glorified  man,  still  in  human  form 
pleading  our  cause.  "  And  he  is  able  to  save  them  to  the  uttermost 
who  come  unto  God  by  him,  seeing  he  ever  lives  to  make  inter- 
cession," Ilcb.  vii.  25.  God  is  in  Christ;  thou  canst  not  come  to 
the  Deity  but  through  the  humanity  of  Jesus  :  mind  that.  Who  can 
tell  the  uttermost  of  Jesus'  salvation  ?  It  is  unto  all  manner  of  per- 
fection both  of  soul  and  body,  How  sweet  and  encouraging  is  this 
to  faith,  that  our  Saviour,  our  brother,  our  friend,  is  in  our  nature 
before  the  throne  1  "  He  ever  lives  ;  he  is  able  to  save."  And  canst 
thou  ever  doubt  of  his  love  and  willingness  ?  O,  remember  Calvary  ! 
thinkyof  his  agony  and  blood-shedding  there.  And  canst  thou  want  a 
proof  of  his  love,  poor  sinner  ?  If  thou,  whilst  an  enemy,  wast  re- 
deemed and  reconciled  to  God  by  his  blood,  how  much  more,  being 
reconciled  shalt  thou  be  saved  by  his  life  !  It  is  thy  happiness  to  be 
ever  looking  upon  and  unto  Jesus  as  the  ipan  and  Mediator  by  whom 
thou  comest  to  God  ;  be  looking  for  Inm  to  see  him  in  his  glorified, 
form.  "'He  shall  come  again  in  like  manner,"  "to  be  glorified  in  his 
saints  and  to  be  admired  in  all  them  who  bclrcve,"  2  Thcss.  i.  10. 


OCTOBER  21.  307 

Dranv  nigh   to   God,  and  he  will  draw  nigh  to  you, — 
James  i^.  8. 

How  sweetly  is  the, children's  duty  and  the  fuihcr's  promise 
joined  together  1  The  latter  is  a  most  powerful  encouragement  to  the 
former;  though  we  were  "sometimes  afar  of,  yet  being  made  nigh 
by  the  blood  of  Jesus,"  we  are  exhorted  to  draw  nigh  to  God  in 
prayer,  in  full  assurance  of  lUith,  fimily  believing  that  »  faithful  is 
he  who  hath  promised,"  he  will  draw  nigh  to  us  to  bless  us.  To 
live  near  God  is  our  heaven  below  ;  to  experience  a  distance  from 
him  is  our  misery  ;  we  cannot  draw  nigh  to  God  but  in  the  way  he 
has  drawn  nigh  to  us,  that  is  in  Christ,  in  the  humanity  of  Jesus  his 
Son  ;  in  all  our  approaches  to  God,  consider  this,  Jcbus  is  the  object 
of  our  faith,  and  God  in  him  ;  all  other  objects  drawn  nigh  to,  will 
leave  the  soul  in  a  painful  sense  of  distance  from  the  true  God  and 
real  comfort.  Happy,  only  happy  canst  thou  be,  wlule  ihou  ait 
daily  living  in  close  communion  and  near  fellowship  w  ith  thy  God 
and  Saviour.  While  the  terrors  of  the  law  drive  legal  spirits  to 
duty  to  fulfil  terms  of  peace  and  conditions  of  acceptance,  evangelical 
promises  ever  sweetly  constrain.and  encourage  to  every  duty  those 
who  «  are  not  under  the  law,  but  under  grace."  To  live  in  neglect 
of  our  duty  and  God's  ordinances,  is  devilish  Uccntiousncss  ;  but  to 
be  fervent  in  spirit,  serving  the  Lord,  is  true  christian  liberty  :  here 
is  our  mercy,  we  have  a  sure  way  of  access;  by  Jesus  we  draw  nigh ; 
in  him  God  and  man  meet ;  the  holy  Spirit  is  our  strengUi,  "  praying 
in  the  Holy  Ghost."  As  it  is  the  office  of  Christ  to  intercede  for 
vs,  so  the  Holy  Ghost  intercedes  in  us  ;  as  an  advocate  within,  he 
enables  us  to  plead  in  faith  what  Jesus  is.to  us,  what  he  hath  done  for 
us ;  so  we  speak  with  confidence  to  our  dear  Father  :  he  helps  in 
prayer,  as  a  nurse  helpeth  a  little  child  that  is  unable  to  go  of  itself, 
or  as  a  weak  decrepit  person  is  upheld  by  the  arm. 

Here  is  our  encouragement,  the  word  of  promise,  "God  will  di*aw 
nigh  to  you."  This,  O  soul,  is  thy  happiness  below,  tliy  heaven  on 
earth,  to  have  access  to  Uie  God  of  mercies,  and  the  Father  of  all 
consolations  draw  nigh  to  thee;  thou  sweetly  findest  it  so;  not 
merely  to  draw  nigh  to  duty,  but  'to  God  m  duty  ;  to  find  and  feel 
the  special  presence  and  blessing  of  the  Lord  ;  without  this,  loving 
hearts  cannot  be  satisfied  ;  communion  and  fellowship  with  Ciod, 
finding  nearness  of  spirit,  delightful  intercourse,  having  to  do  with 
God,  and  receiving  inward  peace  and  love  from  him  ;  C),  this  is  the 
glory  of  the  life  of  faith  on  Jesus  1  and  this  draws  us  away  from,  and 
makes  us  dead  to  all  things  beside.  When  God  ;uul  Chnst  and 
heaven  is  within,  all  without  becomes  truly  mean  and  despicable  m 
comparison.  «  It  is  good  for  mc,"  suith  Asaph,  «  to  draw  near  to 
Cod,"  Psalm  Ixxiii.  23. 


308  OCTOBER  22; 

I  am  crucified -with  Christ :  nevertheless  Hive  ;  yet  not  /, 
but  Christ  liveth  in  me :  and  the  life  which  now  1  live  in 
the  flesh,  I  live  by  the  faith  of  the  Son  of  God,  xvho  lov- 
ed me ,  and  gave  himself  for  me. — Gal.  ii.  20. 

-  The  state  o.'^a  christian  is  a  seeming  paradox.  No  marvel  the 
things  of  God  are  foolishness  to  natural  men,  and  that  we  are  account- 
ed fools  for  Christ  by  them  ;  for  the  truths  of  God,  as  well  as  the 
life  of  his  children,  appear  to  be  absurd  to  them.  But  "  the  life  of 
Jesus  is  made  manifest  in  our  flesh,''  2  Cor.  iv.  1 1.  Hence  he  saith, 
*' If  any  man  will  come  after  me,  let  him  deny  himself,"  Matt.  xvi. 
24.  Deny  the /znWf  of  his  own  righteousness,  the  corrupt  lusts  of 
his  sinful  flesh,  and  own  me  as  his  life,  and  follow  me  as  his  Lord  in 
tlie  regeneration  ;  in  this  crucifixion  of  nature,  tliis  death  to  every 
hope  but  Jesus,  this  lite  of  faith  on  him,  consists  the  peace,  love,  ho- 
liness, and  joy  of  our  souls  ;  this  springs  from  love,  excites  to  love, 
and  is  nourished  by  love  ;  so  we  enjoy  heaven  below.  Thus  is 
heaven  above  insured  to  us. 

Blessed  life  !  happy  believer  !  to  feel  Christ  living  in  thee,  to  live 
on  him  by  faith.  Envy  you.;  ye  sons  of  folly  and  vanity  !  we  do  not ; 
join  with  you  in  your  carnal  delights  we  cannot  ;  joys  infinitely  su- 
perior are  ours  ;  pity  you,  indeed  we  do  ;  nor  with  you,  ye  sons  of  the 
bond-woman,  can  we  live  on  our  works  and  duties,  derive  life  from 
terms  we  fulfil,  and  conditions  we  perform  ;  as  if  for  so  much  work 
we  earn  so  much  wages  :  our  God  owes  us  nothing  ;  yet  he  gave 
his  Son  freely,  "  that  we  might  live  through  him."  The  beloved 
Son  of  God  himself  is  our  life,  our  all  ;  though  wretched,  guilty, 
damnable  creatures  by  nature  and  practice,  yet  astonishing  grace  ! 
«  he  loved  us,  and  gave  himself  for  us."  Uf  this  we  are  bold  and 
confident;  this  truth  bears  the  divine  impress  ;  the  Lord  hath  con- 
firmed it  with  an  oath  ;  here  to  admit  the  least  doubt  is  base  and  un- 
reasonable :  the  life  of  faith  springs  from  truth  itself,  and  is  as  con- 
trary to  doubting  as  it  is  to  sensuality ;  yet,  while  in  the  flesh,  it  will  be 
opposed  by  both.  But  is  every  believer  in  Jesus  assured  with  Paul, 
*' Christ  loved  7ne,  and  gave  himself  for  mc  ?"  No:  though  this  knowl- 
edge is  essential  to  the  comfort  of  our  souls,  yet  not  to  the  being  of 
faith  in  the  heart,  nor  is  it  the  object  of  faith  ;  yet  itjs  the  joyful  privi- 
lege^ef  every  believer,  and  as  such  is  earnestly  to  be  coveted,  and  all 
diligence  given  to  attain  it ;  we  are  loved  with  the  same  love,  saved 
by  the  same  truth,  the  same  faith  given  us  by  the  same  Spirit  which 
Paul  had,  and  to  the  same  end  to  make  ur.  holy  and  happy  ;  and  the 
comforter,  who  testifies  of  Jesus  in  the  word,  will  sooner  or  later  also 
bear  witness  to  the  heart,  and  fill  the  soul  with  the  fiuits  of  faith  and 
the  joy  of  assurance  ;  every  faithfuK  ;ibiding  soul  in  tlie  Lamb  shall 
rejoice  to  say,  "  The  Spirit  itself  bearcth  witness  with  my  spirit, 
that  I  am  a  cliild  of  God,"  Rom.  viii  16. 


OCTOBER  23.  309 

Then  began  lie  to  curse  and  to  swear,  saying,  I  Know  not 
the  /7i«/;.--i\latt.  xxvi.  7-i. 

Self-uighteous  heiu-ts  arc  ready  to  think,  better  to  have  con- 
cealed Peter's  abominable  wicked  conduct.  No';  the  Spirit  of 
wisdom  hereby  stains  the  glory  of  all  flesh,  and  exalts  the  super- 
aboundinEj  riches  of  Jesus*  grace  over  tlic  aboundings  of  sin.  He 
shews,  ill  Peter's  denying  his  loving  Saviour,  what  human  nature 
IS,  and  what  shocking  depths  of  sin  a  believer  may  tall  into  when  left 
to  the  workings  of  carnal  nature  and  the  buffetings  of  satan.  Dread- 
ful to  think  of!  Most  earnestly  to  be  prayed  against !  Yet  we  see  the 
aficctionatc  heart  of  Jesus  is  ever  towards  his  wounded,  fallen-mem- 
bers. Love  is  within,  and  by  a  look  of  love,  how  suddenly,  how  ef- 
fectually did  Jesus  raise  and  restore  Peter!  Three  denials  of  Jesus, 
each  attended  with  higher  aggravations,  though  deserving  only  a  look 
of  wrath,  and  a  frown  into  hell;  yet  were  followed  with  a  look  from 
Jesus  which  brake  Peter's  heart  into  affection,  and  meltec^his  very 
soul  into  love.  Amazing  grace  !  Astonishing  kindness  1  Let  no  dis- 
ciple think,  I  am  not  in  diuigcr  of  fJling,  after  the  like  example  of 
unbelief;  for  every  one  is. 

If  any  poor  lamb  of  Jesus'  flock  is  fallen,  and  h:is  been  worried  and 
torn  by  the  wolf,  let  him  not  suy  that  his  loving  shtphtrd  has  cast 
him   off  forever,  and   has  no  more  cite  for  him  or  love  lo  him. 
What!  will  the  true  shepherd  who  ^.we  his  life  for  tlie  sheep,  who 
bought  every  one  of  them  with,  his  own  blood,  will  he  sufler  the 
enemy  to  rob  him  of  his  property,  and  destroy  any  one  of  his  pur- 
chased ones?  No,  verily,  this  can  never  be   while  Jesus  is  mighty 
to  save.     That  can  never  come  to  pass  tiil  Jesus  ceascih  to  love, 
and  he  can  as  soon  cease  to  exist;  for  Jesus  is   God,  and  God  is 
love,   1    John   iv.    16.     O,  how   oft  are  our   poor  souls   hurt   and 
wounded!  though  not  in  denying  Jesus  to  a  fellow-creature  with 
oaths  and  curses,  yet  too  oft  are  we  ashamed  to  confess  his  dear 
person,  his  precious  cause,  his  despised  cross.     Yea,  and  when  we 
entertain  unloving  thoughts  of  our  Saviour,  from  the  workuig  of 
unbelief  in  the  heart,  this  naturally  tends  to  deny  Jesus  in  his  office 
and  character;  leads. to  depreciate  and  think  too  meanly  of  his  sal- ■  ^^ 
vation,  his  blood,  righteousness,  intercession,  and  faithfulness  to  his 
people.     Hence  we  encourage  guilty  fears,  our  views  of  his  love  get  . 
clouded,  a  sense  of  it  in  the  heart  grows  cold,  and  die  influence  of 
it  on  the  life  is  benumbed.     Is  not  this  in  effect  to  say,  «'  I  know  not 
the  man  ?  S^t^i  arc  the  workings  of  nature  and  unbelief,     O,  how- 
little  do  we  consider  what  Christ  has  done,  and  is  doing  for  us  ! 
We  have  too  mean  and  contracted  views  of  Jesus  at  best;  and  such 
at  times  as  Ave  are  ashamed  of,  when  we  are  enabled  clearly  to  vic^r 
«  Christ  in  us  our  hope  of  glory,"  Col,  i.  'J7. 

Vol.  I,  P  n 


310  OCTOBER  24. 

Remember  Lofs  -wife. — Luke  xvii.  32. 

It  may  do  a  disciple  much  good,  it  can  do  him  no  harm,  to 
call  to  mind  the  judgments  of  his  God.  Hence  he  may  learn  from 
others'  harm  to  be  more  wise  and  wary.  If  he  sees  professors  fall 
away,  it  teaches  him  to  take  heed;  it  tends  to  lay  him  low  in  humility 
at  the  feet  of  Jesus,  and  excites  gratitude  and  love  in  his  heart,  and 
makes  him  cry  out  in  astonishment,  Why  am  I  not  fallen  !  How  am 
I  kept !  "  Glory  to  grace  !"  It  is  well,  O  believer,  ever  to  remember 
thou  standest  by  faith  ;  "  Be  not  high  minded,  but  fear.'  O,  fear  to 
look  back  with  a  wishful  eye,  or  a  lusting  heart,  to  the  sinful  vanities 
of  a  carnal  world.  Remember  Lot's  wife.  What  of  her  ?  She 
loitered  ;  she  did  not  keep  up  with  her  husband  ;  she  was  behind  him. 
So,  soul;  if  thou  dost  loiter,  and  not  keep  close  with  Jesus  thy 
husband,  thou  wilt  be  in  danger.  «  She  looked  back  from  behiiid 
him."  Here  was  an  act  of  folly,  unbelief,  and  disobedience  :  folly, 
in  thinking,  as  she  was  behhid  Lot,  he  could  not  see  her  look  back. 
Uunbelief,  in  not  stedfastly  crediting  God's  word.  Disobedience,  in 
looking  back  to  Sodom,  contrary  to  his  word,  instead  of  looking  for- 
ward, and  up  to  the  Lord.  O  soul,  forget  not  Jes-  ees  the  looks 
of  thy  heart  if  they  are  to  this  perishing  world.  ic  sees  the  unbe- 
lief of  thy  heart,  if  thou  forgetest  him,  and  lookest  to  any  thing  but 
him  for  happiness.  He  will  punish  disobedience  to  his  voice,  »'  fol- 
low me."  "  She  became  a  pillar  of  salt,"  Gen.  xix.  26.  A  lasting 
monument  of  God's  judgment.  Though  we  never  see  this  pillar  of 
salt,  yet  we  may  see  such  every  day.  How  many  seem  to  turn  their 
backs  upon  the  world,  and  escape  to  Jesus,  but  their  eyes  look  again 
to  it.  Looking  begets  longing  ;  their  feet  are  again  entangled  in  its 
snares,  their  hearts  bewitched  with  its  smiles,  they  are  huggtd  lo 
death  in  the  world's  embraces,  and  become  as  a  pillar  of  salt :  a  monu- 
ment of  God's  judgment  upon  their  conduct.  It  is  supposed  Lot's 
wife  retained  her  natural  shape  in  this  pillar  :  so  in  such  professors 
there  is  all  the  appearance  of  the  form  of  religion  kept  up  ;  but  ihe 
heart,  the  spirit,  the  life  and  power  of  it,  arc  entirely  extinct  in  their 
souls.  Their  very  hearts  are  given  up  to  the  world,  and  are  as  cold 
>and  as  dead  to  God  as  Lot's  wife,  when  she  became  a  pillar  of  salt, 
was  to  the  things  of  this  life.  The  eye  is  a  great  inlet  to  temptation. 
Saints  have  woefully  experienced  this  1  David  did.  He  saw;  Uicn 
he  longed  after  enjoyment.  O  believer,  Jesus  is  thy  object.  Here 
looking  may  beget  love  and  longing,  without  danger  of  hurt;  yea, 
with  the  greatest  certainty  of  good  to  thy  soul.  Ever  look  to  Jesus, 
remember  him  ;  so  wilt  thou,  with  Paul,  «  forget  the  things  that  are 
behind,  and  press  toward  the  mark  of  the  prize  of  tliy  high  calling  in 
him.  Thou  hast  escaped  for  thy  life."  It  is  tlie  command  of-  thy 
God,  in  love  lo  thy  soul,  «  Look  not  behind  thcc." 


OCTOBKR  25.  511 

Nbrv  can  ye  believe  which  receive  honor  one  of  another,  and 
seek  noVthe  honor  that  comethfroni  God  onlij? — Joliii 
V.  44. 

"  The  fear  of  man  brinc!;clli  a  snavc,"  Prov.  xxix.  ^5.  It  is  a 
great  enemy  to  the  power  of  faith  in  the  heart.  Tlie  csictm  of  inei), 
to  be  well  spoken  of,  to  have  honor  and  applause  from  them,  arc  plcas- 
iwj;  to  the  flesh,  hut  hurtful  to  the  Spirit.  The  wisdom  ar.d  U  ariiin^ 
of  natural  men,  arc  contrary  to  the  simplicity  that  is  in  Christ,  in- 
compatible with  the  cross  of  Christ,  and  withstands  an  open  confess- 
ion of  him  who  is  an  honor  to  us;  for  by  the  faiih  of  4esus  we  are 
honored  of  the  Father  to  be  his  children,  and  to  enjoy  sweet  fellow- 
ship and  communion  with  him  iu  our  spirits. 

Here  is  the  blessedness  of  the  faith  of  disciples;  "  It  standelh  not 
in  the  Avisdom  of  man,  but  in  the  power  of  God,"  1  Cor.  ii.  5. 
Hence  we  arc  to  "  call  no  man  Rabbi,  for  one  is  our  master,  even 
Jesus."  We  are  to  suffer  no  man  to  lord  it  over  our  faith;  not  to 
pin  our  faith  on  any  man's  sleeve  ;  merely  to  believe  what  any  man 
says,  be  he  ever  so  wise  and  learned.  Some  are  fond  of  being  at  the 
head  of  a  party  ;  others  love  to  humour  them,  arid  become  tails  and 
tools  to  them  ;  and  their  poor  hearts  are  hereby  sadly  rent  and  torn, 
by  disputes  and  divisions  which  so  much  abound.  But  have  we  not 
the  plain,  simple  teachings  of  our  blessed  prophet  to  look  to  ?  O, 
how  often  do  disciples  of  Jesus  give  honor  to  men,  in  expecting  that 
teaching  and  that  comfort  from  t!\em  which  comcth  from  God  only! 
Tog  oft  is  it  the  cry,  I  will  hear  what  such  u  one  suitli,  what  tliis  and 
the  other  teachcth,  instead  of  "  I  will  hear  what  the  Lord  God  will 
speak,''  what  he  hath  taught  in  l:is  word.  I  will  abide  by  tiiat  only. 
This  honor  comcth  from  God  only,  to  speak  peace  by  Jesus  Clirlst 
outwardly  in  his  word,  and  inwardly  by  his  Spirit ;  therefore  we  arc 
to  search  the  word  diligently,  wait  for  the  Spirit  patiently,  treasure 
up  and  ponder  upon  the  sayings  of  Jesus  in  our  hearts  ponlinuully. 
This  is  to  honor  him  whom  the  Father  honors,  to  be  the  propiiet  of 
Jiis  church.  Believers  have  an  "  unction  from  tlie  Holy  One  that 
teacheth  them  all  things,"  I  John  ii!  20.  Surely  they  ou<lu  not  to 
hear  those  who  know  not  the  truth  !  "  Tliem  that  honor  me,  I  wij! 
honor,"  saith  the  Lord — 1  Sam.  ii.  50.  Jehovah  command*  us, 
"  Hear  my  beloved  Son,"  Mark  ix.  7.  In  the  face  of  all  opposi- 
tion to  believe  the  word,  the  promises,  and  the  oath  of  the  Lord 
concerning  full  and  free  salvation  by  his  Son  Jesus  only,  this  is  ihc 
honor  the  Lord  requires  from  his  children  :  and  this  obedience  of 
faith,  God  will  honor  with  inward  peace,  and  the  witness  of  his 
Spirit,  with  'a  life  of  love,  and  the  sanctifying  rcnewings  of  the 
Holy  Ghost  from  day  to  day.  Sanctify  the  Lord  God  in  your  hearts. 
"  Cease  ye  from  man,  whose  breath  is  in  bis  nostrils,"  Isa.  ii.  'Z'2. 


312  OCTOBER  26. 

Knowings  that  of  the  Lord  ye  shall  receive  the  rezvard  of 
the  inheritance :  for  ye  serve  the  Lord  Christ. — Col. 
iii.  24. 

Saving  knowledge  is  accompanied  with  humility,  productive  of 
love  to  Jesus,  and  delight  in  his  service.  To  desire  to  know  more 
of  the  truth,  in  order  to  gain  greater  measures  of  love,  and  more 
cheerful  conformity  to  him,  this  is  praise-worthy.  "  For  whoso 
looketli  into  the  perfect  law  of  liberty,  and  continueth  therein,  he  be- 
ing not  a  forgetful  hearer,  but  a  doer  of  the  word,  this  man  shall  be 
blessed  in  his  deed,"  James  i.  25  Christian,  thou  art  not  called  to 
dream  over  dry  disquisitions  and  subtle  refmements,  merely  to  fill 
thy  brain  with  nice  speculations  ;  but  to  have  thy  heart  warmed  with 
love,  thy  practice  influenced  to  obedience,  as  well  as  thy  judgment 
established  in  truth.  Remeniber  thy  calling,  study  thy  reward,  glory 
in  being  a  servant  of  Jesus;  his  work  is  pleasant,  his  service  perfect 
freedom,  his  wages  infinitely  great,  reward  in  thy  work,  rev/;ird  for 
thy  work,  and  an  eternal  inheritance  when  thy  short  day's  work  is 
ended;  and  all  of  the  rich  favor  and  free  grace  of  the  Lord  Clirist. 
Shall  the  pleasures  of  sin,  which  are  but  for  a  season,  the  vile 
drudgery  of  satan,  which  is  miserable  bondage,  the  alluring  smiles 
of  a  perishing  world;  shall  these  be  placed  in  competition  with  the 

>  service  of  Jesus?  "  Knowing  that  we  serve  the  Lord  Christ."  O, 
how  does  this  sweeten  duty,  and  make  every  path  delightful  !  Canst 
thou  hesitate  one  moment,  when  the  question  is,  choose  you  this 

.  day  whom  you  will  serve,  Christ  or  Satan  ?  No,  verily  thou  canst 
not,  if  so  be  thou  hast  tasted  of  the  infinitely  rich  grace  of  the  eter- 
nally precious  Christ.  Hath  he  bought  us  v/ith  his  blood?  Redeem- 
ed us  to  God  ?  Wrought  out  a  righteousness  to  clothe  and  adorn  us, 
and  prepared  mansions  in  heaven  to  receive  us  ?  And  shall  our  con- 
duct be  contrary  to  our  profession  ?  Our  practice  not  conformable 
to  our  judgment?  Or  our  walk  inconsistent  with  our  faith?  Where 
then  is  the  proof  that  we  serve  the  Lord  Christ  ?  What  evidence  that 
ue  know  the  Lord  is  interested  in,  or  may  expect  the  reward  of  his 
inheritance  ?  We  may  well  cry  out,  Woe  to  our  wretched,  sinful 
nature,  which  is  contrary  to  Jesus,  and  is  ever  opposing  his  truth, 
ways,  and  love  !  Shame  to  us,  wc  love  him  no  more,  nor  serve  him 
no  fettter  !  Blessed  be  Jesus  for  the  gift  of  his  Spirit.  O,  that 
through  his  sanctifying  and  sin  mortifying  operations,   we  may  be  in 

love,  wholly  devoted  to  his  service,  who  in  mercy  wholly  devoted 

himself  for  our  salvation  ! 

How  Rf  rr^ng  thine  arm  Is,  mi?li<y  Lord  !  He  has  tlonc  more  than  Moses  i\n\. 
Who  would  not  fear  tliy  name  !  Our  Proi>het  and  our  Kiiit; ; 

Jesus  how  sweet  thy  Rraces  arc  !  'From  hoiuls  of  hell  he  freed  our  souls, 
■\Ve  love  and  serve  the  Larnb.  Tf«npht  its  to  love  and  sing. 


OCTOBER  27.  313 

The  law  w.as  given  by  Moses,  but  grace  mid  truth  came  by 
Jesus  C/trist. — John  i.  17. 

It  is  natural  to  us  all  to  say  of  the  moritl  luw,  as  the  kiiip;  of 
Israel  s  del  of  that  failhlul  prophet  of  the  Lord,  Micah,  "  1  hale  liim, 
for  he  doth  not  prophesy  i»;ood  coiiccniin;^  me,  bui  evil,''  1  Kings 
xxii.  8.  Ii  is  true,  that  the  holy,  spiritu.d  law  of  Clod  can  yield  no 
comfort,  hnpo.  or  peace  to  any  poor  sii.r.er  of  mankind.  Yet  the 
believer  in  Jesus  cannot  hate  the  moral  law  ;  it  is  a  transcript  of  his 
Father's  mijid  and  will ;  it  is  God's  good  gift ;  it  answers  very  valua- 
ble ends  and  put  prises  to  the  souls  of  his  children.  We  know  sin  by 
the  law,  as  we  know  Christ  by  the  gospel :  though  the  law  was 
given  by  Moses,  a  meek  prophet,  yet  it  is  full  of  fiery  wrath,  minis- 
ters condemnation,  and  denounces  curses,  yea  eternal  death  and 
damnation  to  every  transgrt- ssor.  Yet  why,  O  soul,  shouldst  thou 
hate  the  law?  That  is  not  the  cause  of  all  tlicse  evils;  but  thy  sins, 
thy  violations  of  its  holy,  just,  and  righleoxis  precepts.  Here  fix  thy 
hatred;  here  it  is  just.  Btlicver,  the  law  is  thy  friend;  it  shews 
thee-thy  duty ;  it  cuts  thee  offirom  all  legal  hopes;  it  razes  every  false 
foundation,  every  expectation  from  thy  own  righteousness.  The 
trumpet  sounds  its  alarm  louder  and  louder;  the  voice  of  vords  is 
shriller  and  shriller:  and  it  will  ever  be  terrible  in  its  sound  to  ihy 
conscience,  except  tliou  art  under  tlie  grace  and  trutli  which  came 
by  Jesus  Christ. 

Here,  O  behold  and  admire  tlie  transcendent  excellence  of  Jesus 
full  of  grace  and  truth.  Grace,  even  the  free  favor  of  God  to  sin- 
ners, came  by  Jesus  Christ.  Truth,  in  every  aecon.piishment  of 
the  ceremonial,  in  perfect  fulfilment  of  every  righteous  demand 
Avhichthe  moral  law  could  exact.  Here  is  thy  wisdom,  to  oppose 
the  life  and  death  of  Jesus  to  eveiy  righteous  demand,  to  every 
terrible  threatening,  and  eveiy  dreadful  curse  of  the  law.  As  he  is 
thy  husband  ;  all  debts,  dues,  and  demands  he  for  ever  satibficd. 
Jesus  came  «  not  to  destroy  the  law,  but  to  fulfil  it,"  Matt.  v.  17. 
Says  the  immortal  Hcrvcy,  "Jesus  is  the  auil.or  of  our  faith,  ai;d 
the  former  of  our  graces.  In  his  unpolluted  life  we. see  tlic  pall:, 
in  his  meritorious  death  the  price,  and  in  his  triumphant  resurrection 
the  proof  of  bliss  and  immortaliiy.  If  we  offei d,  and  fall  seven  -imcs 
a  day,  he  is  the  Lord  our  peace  ;  if  we  are  depraved,  and  our  best 
deeds  unworthy,  he  is  the  Lord  our  righttouniuas.  If  wc  are  bru- 
tish in  heavenly  knowledge,  he  is  the  Lord  our  wisdom,  his  word 
dispels  the  shades,  his  Spirit  scatters  the  intellectual  gloom,  his  ryo 
looks  our  darkness  into  day.  In  short  we  arc  nothing,  and  Christ 
is  ALL.  Worse  than  defective  in  ourselves,  wc  arc  compkie  in 
HIM.  W^c  act  by  slrcngUi,  and  gW>ry  in  a  righteousness  not  our 
own." 


314  OCTOBER  28. 

If  children^  then  heirs,  heirs  of  God,  and  joint -heirs  with 
Christ. — Rom.  viii.  17. 

If  a  child,  from  a  spirit  of  untowarilncss,  runs  into  and  rolls 
itself  in  the  dirt,  would  not  that  parent  be  a  monster  of  barbarity 
•who,  instead  of  cleansing  it  from  its  filth,  vshoiild  dash  out  its  bri.ins? 
Yet  there  are  those  who  dare  assert  such  to  be  the  conduct  of  God 
towards  his  cliildren  in  Christ.  For  they  say,  though  a  man  be  a 
child  of  God,  by  faith  in  Christ  Jesus,  yet  he  may  so  fall  into  sin, 
that  God  may  consign  him  eternally  to  hell  for  it;  but,  like  Paul, 
such  speak  "  igviorantly,  and  hi  unbelief."  While  we  wish  them  to 
be  taught  better  ;  from  such  miserable  teachers,  and  such  false  doc- 
trine, we  pray  "Good  Lord  deliver  us."  Whatl  Can  any  of  God's 
children  be  in  such  a  filthy,  polluted  condition,  that  he  has  not  wisdom 
enough  to  know  them  ?  Is  there  not  love  and  power  enougli  in  his 
Spirit  to  lead  them  to  the  fountain  of  Christ's  blood,  that  they  may 
wash  and  be  clean  ?  Or  has  not  the  blood  of  Jesus  virtue  enough  "  to 
cleanse  them  from  all  sin  ?"  It  is  plainj  such  notions  come  from 
the  father  of  lies  ;  for  they  deny  the  reign  of  grace,  and  flatly  con- 
tradict the  glorious  truth  here  asserted. 

First,  "  If  children,"  how  come  any  sinners,  who  are  by  nature 
children  of  wrath,  to  be  children  of  God  ?  "God  predestinated  them 
unto  the  adoption  of  children  by  Jesus  Christ  to  himself,"  Etc. 
Eph.  i.  5.  They  are  begotten  and  born  into  this  state  by  the  Spirit 
of  adoption,  and  by  faith  in  Jesus;  they  enjoy  the  knowledge  and 
comfort  of  it.  Secondly,  '<  Then  heirs'' to  an  immortal  inheritance 
of  free  gift  by  free  grace.  Thirdly,  "  Heirs  of  God."  Marvellous 
assertion!  Legality  stand  off  I  Unbelief  avaunt  1  O,  we  never  can 
reach  the  heig-ht,  fiithom  the  depth,  measure  the  length,  comprehend 
the  breadth  of  our  heirship.  In  one  word,  we  are  heirs  to  all  that 
God  is  in  himself;  has  engaged  himself  to  do,  to  make  us  wise  and 
happy  in  time  and  to  all  eternity.  Is  God  our  portion,  then  take 
tPiy  pen,  O  Pvery  child  of  God,  and  thou,  my  soul,  and  write  all 
thing's  are  ours — .1  cannot  enlarge  ;  enumerate  them  at  thy  pleasure, 
dwell  oii  them  with  joy  that  gratitude  may  fill  thy  soul,  atid  excite 
love  and' praise  to  tliy  God.  Fourthly,  "  Joint  heirs  with  Christ." 
O  soul',  if  thou  art  one  with  Christ  by  faith,  thou  art  one  with  him 
psG,(^heirto  all  that  his  Father  and  thy  Father  has  to  bestow  ;  an 
heir  of  all  things  in  God,  in  earth,  in  heaven.  O  believer,  what 
blessed  reasoning  is  here  1  What  glorious  inhci itiiicc  art  thou  born 
to  I  Born  again  to  possess  by  faith  now  ;  hereafter  in  full  sense  and 
fruition  in  heaven.  As  well  might  satan  deny  the  certain  persever- 
ance of  the  Son  of  God;  as  soon  plunk  one  of  his  glorified  members 
out  of  glory,  as  to  attempt  to  deprive  ar,y  one  heir  of  God  of  the 
full  enjoyment  of  his  heavenly  inheritance,  - 


OCTOBER  29.  515 

Master,  carest  thou  not  that  we  perish? — Mark  iv.  38. 

Saints  In  all  ages  have  cyperienccd,  that  their  extremity  of 
distress  has  been  God's  opportunity  to  deliver ;  so  these  disciple* 
found  it ;  they  were  in  tlic  most  eminent  danger  and  in  the  great- 
est lears  and  distresses.  Their  vehement  address  to  Jesus  bespeak* , 
it.  "  Jesus  was  asleep."  We  believe  in  our  Saviour,  as  a  man  like 
unto  ourselves  :  we  adore  him  as  the  sovereign  Lord  whose  "  eyes 
are  over  the  rigl.tcous,  and  his  ears  are  ever  open  to  their  prayers," 
1  Pet.  iii.  12.  Of  this  we  have  the  clearest  evidence,  the  fullest 
proof.  Jesus  a^vakes  as  a  man,  and  with  the  power  and  sovereignty 
of  Jehovah  he  rebukes  the  boisterous  wind,  and  si,ys  to  the  raging 
waves,  «  Peace,  be  still ;"  and  instantly  all  nature  obeys  its  Creator; 
all  is  husbexl  into  a  profound  calm. 

While  others  are  pleased  with  the  feats   of  a  Cxsar,  or  the  con- 
quests of  an  Alexander,  it  is  our  delight  to  meditate  upon  the  won- 
derful works  of  our  God-man  and  blessed  Saviour.     Transporting  to 
know  this  awful  God  is  ours,  our  Jesus,  and  our  friend  1     But  art 
thou  not  ready,  O  believer,  sometimes  to  say,  '•  My  Lord  hath  for- 
saken, and  my  God  hath  forgotten  me  1"     It  seems  as  Uiough  he 
cares  not ;  even  though  I  perish.     I  am  in  the  wide  ocean  of  diffi- 
culty and  distress.     Corruptions  rage,  temptations  assault,  the  fiery 
darts  of  the  enen^y  fly  thick  around  me  ;  I  groan  under  the  sense  of 
a  hard  heart  and  an]  absent  God.     Hear  the  voice  of  thy  Lord,  «  O 
thou  afflicted,  tossed  with  tempests,  and  not  comforted:  for  a  small 
moment  have  I  forsaken  thee,  but  witli  great  mercies  will  I  gather 
thee,"  Isa.  liv.  7,   11.     Judge  not  of  God's  love   by  thy  sense  and 
feeling,  but  by  his  word  and  truth,  the  stability  of  his  promises,  and 
the  security  of  his  oath.     He  may  be  bdltering  down  thy  bfc  of  sense 
to  make  thee  strong  in  faith,  strong  in  the  Lord,  and  m  the  power 
of  his  might.     These  disciples,  though  in  a  terrible  storn,,  were 
safe,  because  Jesus  was  in  the  ship,  though  asleep  ;  so  is  every  dis- 
ciple where  Jesus  dwells  in  the  heart  by  iM^.     The  afiection.,  of 
God's  love  never  cease,  though  storms  surround  us,  and  the  sense 
and  comfort  of  love  may  seem  to  us  as  it  were  asleep  ;  and  as  wuh 
these  disciples,  so  shall  it  be  with  thee,  C)  christian  ;  thou  shalt  find 
thy  loving  Saviour  ever  near  to  hear,  and  ever  almighty  to  (.clivcr 
thee;  God's  moment  is  thy  mercy;  in  the  deeps  ol  dutress  arc 
God's  wonders  known.     -In   the  n>oment  of  the   Lord,  Jehoyah- 
jirah  (the  Lord  will  provi<le)  it  shall  be  seen."     U  l.at  sauh  the 
Lord  ?  "  Call  upon  me  in  t«ne   of  trouble,  and  I  wdl  dchver  thee. 
and  thou  Shalt  nlorify  me."     It  is  the  joy  of  faith  to  reply,  "  1  hou 
.hall  compass  nu-  about  with  songs  of  dcliveraiKC,"  IValmxxxn... 


316  OCTOBER  30. 

Go,  tell  his  disciples  and  Peter,  that  he  goeth  before  you 
into  Galilee :  there  shall  ye  see  him. — Murk  xvi.  7. 

How  different  is  the  gospel   from  the  law  ;  one  is  the  voice  of 
condemnation,   terror,  and   wrath ;   the    other   speaks  nothhig   but 
grace,  peace,  and  love.     God's  children  only  murmured  lor  water  in 
the  wilderness,  and  even  the  meek  Moses  is  in  wrath  with  them,  and 
calls  them  refit /s.     Here,  though  tlie  poor  disciples  had  acted  most 
base  and  ungrateful  to  their  loving  Saviour  ;  for  they  added   sorrow 
to  his  distress,  when  they  all  forsook  him  and  fled,  and  Peter  above 
all  the  rest ;  for  as  though   Jesus  was  the  most  abandoned  wretch, 
Peter  with  oaths  and  curses  denied  that  he  even  knew  him.      What 
could  they  expect,  but  that  the  first  message  from  their  Lord  should 
be  full  of  upbraiding  ?     Was  it,  Go  tell  those  apostate   rebtlsl^aw 
risen  from  the  dead,  they  shall  receive  their  just  deserts  ;  vengeance 
is  mine,  I  will  repay  them  ?     No  :  be  astonished,  O  heavens  !  Hear, 
wonder,  and  love,  O  ye  backsliding  children  :  devils  are  not  permit- 
ted to  terrify,  but  angels  commissioned  to  comfort  them.     Tell  his 
disciples,   amazing!    Disciples  still!    How  unworthy  of  the  very 
name  !  Yet  more,  lest  this  message  should  prove  a  dagger  to  poor 
Peter's  heart,  lest  he  should  write  bitter  things  against  himself,  "I  am 
no  disciple ;  though  all  the  rest  forsook  and  fled  from  Jesus  yet  not  one 
of  them  sinned  with  so  high  a  hand  as  me.  I  not  only  forsook  him,  fled 
from  him,  but  denied  him,  denied  him  with  oaths,  cursed  and   swore 
most  bitterly  that  I  did  not  know  him.     Ah  !  woe'  is  me  :  the  Lord* 
told  me  satan  had  desired  to  have  me,  so  it  must  be."     No,  no, 
Peter,  "  whom  thy  Lord  loves,  he  loves  to  the  end  ;"  he  hates  put- 
ting away  ;  his  loving  heart  cannot  bear  it.     Not  all  that  sin  or  hell 
can  say  can  turn  his  heart,  his  love  away.     Peter  is  included  in  the 
commission  of  comfort,  by  name.     Did  Peter  sin  above  the  rest  ? 
Yet  grace  super-abounds ;    therefore  behold,  he  is  particularized 
above  the  rest  by  name.  "  He  goeth  before  you  to  Galilee,  there  shall 
ye  see  him."  -  O,  but  for  this  comfortable  message,  poor  Peter  would 
have  dreaded  to  meet  with  and  see  Jesus.     O  soul,  Jesus  is  gone  be- 
fore to  glory,  there  shalt  thou  see   him.     But  for  the  comfortable 
message  our  souls  have  had  from  him,  of  his  love  and  salvation,  we 
might  dread  the  sight.of  Jesus.     But  who  shall  set  bounds  to  the 
love  of  Jesus  ?  W^ill  any  poor  trembling  disciple  say,  the  Lord  hath 
forsaI^cn  me,  my  Lord  huth  forgotten  me  ?     True  thou  mayest  de- 
serve  it ;    but  thy  Lord    deals  with    thee  not  after  that  manner ; 
though  thou  art  u  sinner,  a  backsliding  sinner,  u  hell-deserving  sin- 
ner, the  chief  of  shiners,  yet  still  his  name  is  Jesus  the  Saviour,  his 
nature  is  love  ;  and  it  is  the  joy  of  his  heart  and  the  w  ork  of  liis  life 
"  to  save  tlicm  to  the  uttermost  that  come  unto  God. by  him,  seeing   - 
he  ever  livcth  to  m:ikc  intercession  for  them,"  Heb.  vii.  25. 


OCTOBER  31.  317 

If  the  Son  therefure  shall  make  you  free,  ye  shall  be  free 

indeed: — John  viii.  36. 
Our  most  glovious  sovereign  Lord  and  Kint;-,  Jesus,  like  some 
miglity  conqueror  whose  'sulijccts  luive  been  taken  captive  liy  an 
enemy,  delivers  them  from  their  captivity,  sets  tliem  at  lihurty  irom 
the  dominion  and  tyranny  of  their  enemies,  and  restores  them  to  all 
the  rights  andpriviiegesof  his  kingdom  and  government.  Alas!  in  what 
a  deplorable  state  doth  our  great  deliverer  Had  our  souls !  taken  cap- 
tive bythcdevilat  his  pleasure,  slaves  and  vassals  to  his  will  and  power, 
under  worse  than  Egyptian  bondage,  "  tied  and  bound  with  the  chains 
of  our  sins,"  bond-slaves  to  our  corrupt  lusts  and  carnal  passions. 

In  tliis  hopeless,  helpless,  deplorable  state,  we  all  continue  -with- 
out power,  yea,  without  will  or  desire  to  be  set  at  liberty.  Nay,  wc 
are  naturally  pleased  with  the  drudgery  of  sin  and  satan,  in  love  with 
GUI'  bondage,  fancying  ourselves  at  liberty,  and  enjoying  the  most 
perfect  freedom;  but  when  our  mighty  deliverer  comes,  he  makes 
us  free  indeed;  he  bursts  our  bonds  asunder,  and  casts  away  the 
cords  wherewith  we  were  bound.  Jesus  snatches  our  souls  as  a  prey 
from  the  miglity,  and  the  lawful  captives  arc  delivered.  He  hivests 
us  with  the  "  freedom  of  citizens  of  the  New  Jerusalem,"  and  gives 
us  the  privilege  of  adoption,  to  be  the  sons  of  God  through  faith  in 
him.  Then  are  we  the  Lord's  free-men;  made  free  from  sin,  satan, 
the  law,  and  death.  How  great  is  Jesus'  power!  how  lich  his 
love!  how  free  and  sovereign  his  grace!  it  came  unmerited  and 
unsought  by  us;  it  is  a  freedom  unbounded  in  its  nature,  and  the 
happy  subjects  of  it  shall  find  it  so  in  a  blissful  eternity.  But  here, 
though  free,  made  free  indeed  in  our  spirits,  yet  we  shall  find  by- 
daily  experience  enemies  and  opposers  to  'our  uninterrupted  enjoy- 
ment of  it.  Sin,  though  its  guilt  is  washed  away  in  Christ's  blood, 
and  its  power  destroyed  in  the  soul,  will  yet  rage  and  war  in  our 
members.  Satan,  though  like  a  strong  man  armed,  is  overcome 
and  cast  out,  will  often  rally  his  forces  and  wage  war  against  u*' 
As  Luther  says,  '  he  who  hath  Christ  for  his  King  and  God,  let 
him  be  assured  he  hath  the  devil  for  his  enemy,  who  will  work  him 
much  sorrow,  and  plague  him  all  the  days  of  his  life.  But  let  this 
be  our  comfort  and  great  glory,  that  we  poor  sinners  have  the  Lord 
oflifeard  death  and  of  ^ll  creatures,  cloathed  with  our  flesh  and 
blood,  sitting  on  the  right  hand  of  God,  ever  living,  ever  praying 
for  us,  who  ever  defends  and  protects  us.'  The  law,  though  its 
demands  arc  fulfilled,  and  its  curse  is  taken  away,  though  there 
is  no  condemnation  to  them  that  are  in  Christ  Jesus;  and  death, 
though  disarmed  of  its  strength  antl  sting  through  the  victory  of 
Jesus,  yet  the  sweet  sense  and  comfortable  experience  of  all  this  \i 
enjoyed  by  us  only  while  we  "  stiuid  fast  in  the  liberty  wherewith 
Christ  has  made  us  free,  and  are  not  entangled  with  any  yoke  t.f 
bondage,"  Oi\\.  \.  I.  Vol.  L  Qq 


318  NOVEMBER  1. 

JFe  wrestle^  isPc. — Eph.  vi.  12. 

It  is  too  common  for  the  children  of  God,  when  exei'cised  wiili 
sharp  conflicts  of  soul,  to  write  bitter  thmgs  against  themselves. 
But  we  do  well  always  to  remember  we  are  travellers  through  the 
territories  of  an  implacable  and  powerful  enemy,  whose  malicious 
spirit  delights  in  harassing  and  distressing  us  in  every  part,  soul  and 
spirit,  as  well  as  flesh.  That  herein  we  are  not  alone;  it  is  the  com- 
mon lot  of  all  the  children  more  or  less.  Take,  my  brethren,  the 
prophets  and  apostles  as  an  example  herein.  We  shall  find  them  at 
times,  under  severe  trials  and  sore  conflicts  of  spirit.  But  know, 
satan  our  adversary,  is  a  conquered  foe;  he  can  go  no  farther  than 
our  own  loving  Saviour  permits  him.  Our  exercises  last  not  one 
moment  longer  than  our  dear  Lord  sees  needful;  none  of  them  shall 
issue  in  our  destruction  but  in  satan's  flight,  our  soul's  deliverance, 
and  our  God's  glory;  and,  like  every  thing  else  that  befalls  us,  "  they 
work  together  for  our  good." 

Our  enemies  are  spiritual  powers,  princes,  rulers,  who  for  num- 
ber may  be  styled  legion.  Their  nearness  to  us,  and  easy  access  to 
our  spirits,  in  a  way  of  striving  and  struggling  for  the  mastery  in 
order  to  cast  us  down,  is  justly  styled  nvrcstling.  Here  the  comba- 
tants are  closely  joined,  and  grapple  with  each  other.  Our  greatest 
danger  is  from  our  feet  being  tript  off  the  ground;  whereby  we  may 
be  maimed  and  bruised  by  a  fall.  Happy  for  us,  we  stand  by  the 
power  of  God  through  faith.  We  stand  upon  this  sure  foundation, 
"  The  Lord  knoweth  them  who  are  his."  Jesus  knows  that  his  peo- 
ple will  be  exposed  to  onsets  of  the  enemy,  but  no  power,  subtilty,  or 
malice  shall  prevail.  Says  our  dear  preserver,  "  none  shall  pluck 
them  out  of  my  hands:"  I  as  man  and  Mediator,  hold  them  by  love. 
"  My  Father  is  greater  than  I;  he  keeps  them  by  his  irresistible  and 
almighty  power.  Yet,  alas  1  it  must  be  owned,  that  conflicts  for  the 
season  are  grievous.  To  be  attacked  by  a  powerful,  invisible  foe, 
whose  element  where  he  rules,  as  well  as  the  time  of  battle,  is  always 
in  darkness;  therefore  most  afflicting  to  .the  children  of  light.  One 
blessed  er^d  of  our  trials,  is  to  teach  us  that  we  should  not  trust  in 
ourselves,  but  cry  to  the  strong  for  strength.  O,  what  a  soul- 
slrengthening,  heart-reviving,  and  spirit-refreshing  voice  speaks  from 
h^ven  to  us  I  Hear,  O  soul,  it  is  the  voice  bf  the  captain  of  thy  salva- 
tion. V/ust  tl\ou  ready  to  think  he  had  left  thee  to  thy  own  weak- 
ness? No:  "  Fear  thou  not,  for  Lam  with  thee.  I  will  uphold  thee 
with  the  right  hand  of  my  righteou^ess,"  Isa.  xli.  10. 

Jesus  the  Lord  shall  guaivl  me  safe  God  is  my  everlasting  aid,  - 
Frfjni  ev'i  V  illdcsisii,  And  litll  shiUl  rnjje  in  v.ain  ; 

And  tohish'av'iily  kingdotn  take  To liim  be  hijjlicst glory  paid 
Tliisfecblc  soul  of  mine.  And  eudloss  praise,  Aint-n. 


NOVEMBER  2.  319 

Rejoice  in  the  Lord  always:  and  again  I  say  rejoice. — 
Phil.  iv.  4. 

The  wise  man  sailh,  "  lie  Uiatis  of  a  merry  heart  luilli  a  con- 
tinual feast,"  Prov.  xv.  15.  '  Every  believer  in  Jesus  hath  a  continual 
feast;  therefore  has  always  reason  to  be  of  u  merry  hcurt;  wlitn  he 
is  not,  he  lives  below  his  privilege,  and  forg;ets  the  conmii-ntl  of  his 
loving  Lord.  Though  we  dally  experience  enemies  to  our  spiritual 
joy,  yet  none  can  destroy  our  ground  of  rejoicing;  tliat  is  fixed  as  a 
rock,  permanent  as  tlie  mountains,  and  standeth  fast  for  ever  and  ever. 
Paul  well  knew  this  by  his  own  experience:  "  As  sorrowful,  yet 
always  rejoicing."  he  describes  the  christian's  motto.  Thoujrli  with 
him  thou  art  daily  crying  out,  "  O  wretched  man  tliat  I  am,"-  accord- 
ing to  the  flesh;  yet  thou  hast  the  same  reason  always  to  thank  God 
and  rejoice  in  Christ  Jesus  as  Paul  had:  tliough  in  thyself  cause  for 
mourning  and  humiliation,  yet  continual  matter  of  joy  ai.d  rejoicing 
in  the  Lord  Jesus. 

Plerc  is  the  wisdom  of  a  christian,  to  understand  ariglu,  mid  to  act 
suitable  to  his  character:  "  as  havhig  nothing  in  nature,  yet  possess- 
ing all  things  by  grace."  Being  united  by  Jesus,  in  whom  all  fulness 
dwells  ;  and  "  blessed  with  all  Spiritual  blessings  by  God  tiie  Father 
in  him,  it  is  therefore  our  sweet  privilege  always  to  rejoice  in  Christ 
Jesus.  In  experience,  we  find  believing  views  of  Jesus,  cause  rejoic- 
ing in  him.  In  the  Lord;  mind  that  little  word  j«.  The  exercise 
of  thy  faith  is  ever  to  be  on  thy  Lord.  All  cause  of  spiritual  joy  is 
in  Jesus:  our  word  is  believe  and  be  jouful.  If  we  search  the 
scriptures,  which  testify  of  Jesus;  if  we  dwell  much  in  meditation 
on  his  person,  his  offices,  his  blood,  l.is  lightccusr.ess,  his  inter- 
cession, we  shall  perceive  nevcr-failini^  springs  of  joy.  Day  by  day 
be  looking  and  praying,  O  soul,  that  through  the  Spirit  thou  mayst 
sec  and  maintain  a  comfortable  knowledge  and  settled  assurance  of 
thy  own  interest  in  Jesus,  and  salvation  by  him.  O,  this  will  cause 
thee  to  rejoice  indeed,  with  joy  unspeakai)le  and  full  of  glory.  So 
that  even  though  the  face  and  appearance  of  outward  things  put  on  a 
gloomy  countenance  to  nature  and  sense,  yet  shall  we  be  like  tl;r 
stedfast  prophet:  «4  Though  the  fig-tree  shall  not  blossom,  ncillicr 
shall  fruit  be  in 'the  vines;  the  labour  of  the  olive  shall  fail,  and  the 
fields  shall  yield  no  meat;  the  flocks  shall  be  cut  o<T  from  the  fold, 
and  there  shall  be  no  herd  in  the  stalls."  What  then  ?  Docs  he  hang 
down  his  head  like  a  bulrush  ?  Does  joy  of  heart  forsake  him?  No, 
says  he,  "  yet  I  will  rejoice  in  the  Lord,  I  will  joy  in  the  God  of  ;«j 
salvation,"  Habak.  iii.  17,  18. 

Then  let  our  joys  abound,  W«'rc  m.ircl.inB  ihrn'  ImmanucPi  grou-ul. 

And  ev'ry  tear  be  Jrj- ;  To  faiccr  w  oiWs  nu  bii,'li. 


320  NOVEMBER  3. 

JVhat  doth  it  profit,  though  a  man  say  he  hath  faith,  and 
have  not  -works?  Can  faith  save  him? — James  ii.  14. 

Many  of  God's  dear  chikh-en  are  often  in  doubt  and  perplexity, 
lest  their  faith  should  not  be  tlie  fidlh  of  God's  elect ;  to  which  salva- 
tion is  sure.     This  may  arise  through  the  weakness  of  their  under- 
standing in  the  word  of  truth;  and  because,  as  yet,  faith  doth  not 
bring  forth  the  fruits  of  joy  and  assurance.     But  sooner  or  later  the 
Holy  Ghost,  in  believing,  will  make  this  matter  clear  and  satisfactory 
to  their  hearts.     But  the    soundness   and  orthodoxy   of  our  faith  is 
least  of  all  suspected  by  us  while  in  a  state  of  nature ;  for  we  all  think, 
are  very  confident,  have  not  the  least  doubt,  we  all  say   "  we  have 
faith,"  true  faith;  but  this  is  a  weed  which  grows  wild  in  nature's 
field;  this  is  the  faith  which  James  here  speaks  of,  which  all  the 
world  rest  in  who  know  not  the  Son  of  God.     All  men  have  not  faith, 
the  faith  of  God's  elect.     If  we  say  we  have  faith,  what  doth  it  profit 
if  it  brings  no  glory  to  God,  no  good  to  men;  it  deceives  the   soul 
v/ho  has  it.     "  Can  faith  save  him  ?"  O,  what  disputes  and  contentions 
hath  this  question  raised  !  Some  have  even  set  St.  James  at  variance 
against  St.  Paul,   as  though  the  former  contended  for  salvation  by 
works,  against  the  latter.     "  Can  faith  save  him  ?"  A  question  equal 
to  an  assertion.     It  cannot.     The  supply  of  one  word  here  puts  the 
matter  beyond  all  dispute.     Can   such  a  faith  save  him  ?  No  ;  it  is 
impossible.     But  dost  thou,  O  christian,  think  thy  faith,  though  ac- 
companied with  good  works,  can  save  thee  ?  Verily,  no  more  than 
thy  repentance  or  thy  love;  these  are  alike  gifts   of  grace  by  Jesus 
Christ ;  given  not  to  rival  the  Saviour  in  the  heart,  nor  to  share  with 
him  in  the  glory  of  salvation,  but  to  honor  him  aiid  comfort  his  mem- 
bers.   'We  are  not  saved /or  faith,  but  through  faith  ;  yet  faith  is  a 
precious  grace  of  covenant-love  ;  it  endears  a  precious  Saviour  to  the 
heart,  and  "  works  by  love." 

But  ever  know,  faith  doth  not  procure  God's  love,  obtain  his  favor, 
make  atonement  for  sins,  work  out  a  righteousness  to  justify,  nor 
merit  the  power  of  the  Spirit  to  sanctify  ;  all  this  is  enjoyed  in  believ- 
ing, but  not  procured  by  faith.  Faith,  like  the  Baptist's  voice,  cries 
in  the  soul,  <'  Behold  the  Lamb  of  God."  It  claims  no  shai^e  in 
fulfilling  terms  of  peace,  or  obeying  conditions  of  salvation.  By 
faith  we  honor  God's  word,  look  to  his  everlasting  love,  rely  on  Jesus, 
mournl  over  sin,  abhor  ourselves,  and  repent  as  in  dust  and  ashes. 
Peace,  love,  joy,  and  all  inward  fruits,  as  well  as  outward  obedience  ; 
a  holy  walk,  fruitfulness  in  every  good  word  and  work,  are  produced 
by  the  Holy  Spirit,  from  the  life  and  vigour  of  faith.  How  doth 
it  concern  us  daily  to  pray,  "  Lord,  increase  our  faith  !"  J-uke 
xvii.  5.     ,  .  ' 


NOVEMBER  4.  321 

For  she  said  xvithin  herself.  If  I  may  litt  touch  his  gar- 
menty  I^ shall  be  whole. — Matt.  ix.  21. 

The  case  of  this  poor  woman  was  quite  desperate.  Many 
painful  operations  she  had  undergone  in  hopes  of  a  cure;  her  money 
all  spent  in  procuring  remedies;  her  disorder  grew  worse  and  worse: 
all  human  hope  and  help  failed;  grim  death  seemed  to  approach  her 
Muth  great  speed.  But,  strange  thought !  ♦'  If  1  may  but  touch  the 
garment"  of  that  man,  surrounded  by  yonder  crowd,  I  shall  certainly 
be  healed.  Surprising,  to  think  of  a  cure  from  a  touch  1  A  touch, 
not  of  his  person,  but  his  garnierit !  How  can  nature  and  reason 
account  for  this  ?  Had  she  consulted  flesh  and  blood,  sure  she  would 
have  concluded,  this  suggestion  is  mere  fancj',  and  will  end  in  delu- 
sion, Had  she  consulted  eminent  physicians  or  learned  doctors  in  the 
church  about  her  thoughts,  doubtless  they  would  have  pronounced 
Jesus  a  quack,  and  advised  proper  remedies  to  her,  as  a  lunadc. 
But  the  holy  Spirit  had  inwardly  made  known  Jesus  to  her.  She  saw 
somewhat  of  his  glory  ;  her  mind  was  disposed  towards  him ;  she  be- 
lieved in  her  heart  his  power  to  heal  her;  she  speaks  wiihin  herself 
her  thoughts  concerning  him  ;  she  came  with  trembling  feet,  she 
touched  him  with  a  fearful  heart,  but  she  departed  with  triumph. 

How  secret  arc  the  operations  of  the  Spiiit,  in  working  faith  in  the 
hearts  of  sinners  1  "  No  man  can  come  unto  me,"  saith  Jesus,  "except 
the  Father  draw  him,"  John  vi.  44.  A  sight  of  Christ  is  of  special 
grace.  The  first  thought  of  help  and  hope  in  Jesus  for  sinners,  is 
from  the  word  of  truth,  and  by  the  power  of  the  Spirit.  The  soul 
soon  evidences  itself  to  ha\'e  "the  faith  of  (Jod's  elect ;"  for  under  a 
sight  and  sense  of  its  desperate  state  anc^  ruined  condition,  it  speaks 
within  itself  of  going  to  Jesus  and  him  cjily  for  pardon  and  salvation. 
Yet  the  pL,or  heart  is  often  exercised  with  an  if;  if  I  did  l)ut  believe  in 
him,  if  I  could  but  touch  him,  if  I  did  but  feel  in  myself  I  was  healed 
of  my  sin  and  plague,  O  how  I  should  rejoice  1  Well,  thougli  tiie  soul 
is  opposed  by  a  crowd  of  difiicultics,  yet  will  it  not  be  satisfied  till  it 
breaks  through  all  carnal  opposition  and  finds  peace  in  Jesus  ;  till  it 
hears  the  voice  of  its  Ijeloved  speakhig  pardon  and  comfort  by  his 
word.  When,  liKc  Isaiah,  the  soul  cries,  «  Woe  is  me,  I  am  un- 
done !"  it  cannot  rest,  till  with  him  also,  alive  coal  from  the  altar  of 
Jesus'  love  is  laid  upon  his  mouth,  and  his  language,  is  changed  to 
'  I  am  saved  by  Jesus.'  For  «  lo,  this  hath  touched  thy  lips,  and  thy 
sin  is  purged,"  Isa.  vi.  7. 

T'ne  Lord  !  how  glorious  is  Iiis  face  !  For  yon,  thr  cMUlrcn  of  my  love, 
How  kind  his  smiles  appear  !  It  was  f<jr  }(,ii !  ilyM  ; 

And  oh  !  what  mcltiiiK  words  he  says  Bi-hold  my  hands,  bthold  my  feet, 
To  cv'jT  humble  car  !  And  look  uulo  my  side. 


522  NOVEMBER  5. 

As  he  who  hath  called  you  is  holij,  so  be  ye  holy  in  all  man- 
ner of  conversation. — 1  Pet.  i.  15. 

Legal  hearts  turn  evangelical  exhortations  into  legal  com- 
mands. So  children  of  laiih  are  brought  btick  again  from  the  land 
of  promise  to  the  house  of  bondage.  Not  more  absurd  to  exhort  a 
dead  corpse  to  exert  itself  to  perform  actions  of  life  in  order  to  get 
life,  than  to  suppose  a  believer  destitute  of  the  life  of  holiness,  and 
excite  him  to  holy  actions  in  order  to  procure  it.  Zeal  for  holiness, 
without  knowledge  of  the  true  nature  of  it,  is  unscriptural  ignorance. 
Every  believer  in  Jesus  is  holy.  As  .being  a  member  of  the  first 
Adam,  he  partakes  of  the  life  of  sin  and  the  spirit  of  unholiness;  but 
being  vmited  to  Jesus,  Christ  is  his  life.  lie  partakes  of  the  life  of 
holiness  and  the  spiritof  holiness.  This  is  evidenced  by  the  outward 
holiness  of  his  life. 

Therefore  exJiortations  to  excite  such  to  a  holy  conA^ersation,  are 
as  necessary  as  they  are  frequent.  Art  thou  a  child  of  God  by  faith 
in  Christ  Jesus  ?  What  inestimable  honor  is  this  !  It  should  be  thy 
tlaily  care  and  constant  concern  to  walk  worthy  of  this  high  and 
honoi-able  vocation.  It  degrades  thy  birth  to  stoop  to  glorify  base 
lusts  ;  it  demeans  thy  character  to  take  up  in  the  least  with  the 
slavery  of  sin  and  drudgery  of  satan.  It  was  good  advice  a  heathen 
gave  a  prince,  lest  he  should  learn  evil  from  bad  company,  "Always 
remember  thou  art  a  king's  son."  So  ever  remember,  O  christian, 
thou  art  a  son  of  the  King  of  kings.  Thy  Father  is  holy  ;  study  to 
be  like  him  ;  aini  to  resemble  him  in  thy  daily  walk.  This  day  thou 
wilt  be  exposed  to  the  snares  of  sin  and  temptations  to  evil ;  they 
ever  beset  thee.  Remember  thy  calling,  it  is  to  holiness  of  life  ; 
think  of  the  end  of  it,  happiness  in  glory.  It  sounds  as  harsh  in 
.one's  ears  to  hear  of  a  wicked  christian  as  to  hear  of  a  dark  sun. 
But  beware  of  making  an  idol  of  thy  own  holiness.  We  read  of 
Pygmalion,  who  had  got  M  image  so  lively  that  he  took  it  for  a 
real -person,  and  fell  in  love  with  it.  This  seems  to  be  the  case  with 
some;  they  are  more  taken  up  wilhi  talk. more  about  and  seem 
more  in  love  with  an  image  they  have  made  of  their  own  holiness 
and  perfection,  than  of  the  glorious  righteousness  of  Jesus.  Yea, 
they  so  esteem  their  own  holiness,  that  they  think  it  is  to  effect  for 
th«m  more  than  Christ's  righteousness  hath,  even  secure  and  make 
effectual  their  own  salvation.  Thus  the  imputed  righteousness  of 
Christ  is  cashiered  out  of  their  faith  and  affection,  to  make  way  for 
their  pretended  holiness'.  This  is  the  very  essence  of  a  Pharisee. 
But  being  made  free  from  sin  (the  power  of  pride  within,  as  well 
as  of  sin  without)  ye  become  servants  of  God,  y^  have  your  ruvir 
unto  holiness,  and  the  end  everlasting  life,"  Rorii.  vi.  22. 


NOVEMBER  6.  S23 

A  friend  loveth  at  all  times  ^  and  a  brother  is  born  fur  ad- 
versity--Vroy.  xvii.  17. 

We  have  a  striking  instance  of  genuine  ami  uninterrupted 
friendship,  which  mutually  subsisted  between  David  and  JonailiaiJ. 
IIow  affecting  is  that  pathetic,  mournful,  exclamation  of  David, 
M'hen  friendbhip's  sweet  bands  were  dissolved  in  deatli  I  '»l  am  dis- 
tressed for  thee,  my  brother  Jonathan  ;  very  pleasent  hast  thou  been 
unto  me  ;  thy  love  to  me  was  wonderful,  passing  the  love  of  wo- 
men," 2  Sam.  i.  26.  Who  can  read  this  plaintive  note  without 
sympathy  ?  Wisdom's  asscTtion  is  literally  exemplified  in  thcni. 
But  though  their  love  and  friendship  never  al)atcd  in  the  dark  scenci 
of  adversity,  but  was  alike  at  all  times,  yet  death  put  a  period  to  its 
existence.  Naturally  friendship  extends  not  beyond  the  confines  of 
the  grave.  But,  O  disciple,  thou  hast  a  friend  who  ever  lives  and 
ever  loves.  The  most  exalted  friendship  when  compared  to  his, 
diminishes  in  glory,  as  the  light  of  the  brightest  star  disappears  whea 
the  dazzling  glory  of  tlie  sun  shines  forth.  Is  not  Jesus  "  tliis 
friend  who  loveth  at  all  times  ?"  Yea,  before  time  commenced,  his 
love  existed  towards  his  chui;ch.  Every  member  was  loved  by 
him,  and  was  given  to  him  of  the  Father.  When  in  lime  he  saw 
them  polluted  in  their  blood,  defded  with  sin,  and  loathsome  in  their 
persons,  yet  (O  wonderful  I)  that  was  the  time  of  love,  he  passed 
by,  his  eye  saw,  his  heart  loved,  mid  his  lips  said,  live.  Dost 
thou,  O  soul,  live  I)y  faith  on  the  Son  of  God  I  This  is  the  effect  of 
love ;  this  is  love  known  and  manifested.  But  dost  thou  finddaily  that 
thou  art  a  poor  sinner?  therefore  art  thou  grieved,  and  ll.inkest  thou 
shalt  weary  out  the  love  of  thy  friend?  >Io ;  that  cannot  be,  he  loveth 
at  all  times;  "whom  he  loves,  he  loves  to  the  end."  Jesus  is  *'thc 
brother  born  for  adversity,"  to  comfort  in  and  to  support  under  it. 
Now  thou  art  in  an  adverse  state ;  the  world,  the  llesh,  and  the 
devil  arc  all  against  thee  ;  but  thy  friend  is  above,  engaged  for  thee  ; 
he  is  stronger  than  all.  Though  in  dangers  oft,  always  safe.  Jesus 
was  born  to  suffer  adversity  for  his  brethren.  A  fi  lend  und  a  brollicr 
makes  one's  sorrows  and  sufferings  his  own.  So  ditl  Jesus.  Our 
sins  were  his,  ".he  bore  them  in  his  own  body."  "  He  hutli  borne 
our  griefs,  and  carried  our  sorrows."  And  hath  he  loved  before 
time  ?  Docs  he  love  at  all  times  ?  Then  what  shall  separate  IVoia 
the  love  of  Jesus  ?  Nothing  :  for  «  in  all  things  we  arc  more  ilian 
conquerors,  through  him  who  loved  us.  As  the  power  of  Jesus  is 
equal  to  his  love,  death,  which  parts  the  dearest  friends,  and  dis- 
solves the  sweetest  friendship  below,  shall  introduce  us  to  tlie  nearest 
enjoyment  of  our  best  friend  and  dearest  brother  ul)ove  ;  for  he  says, 
«'  Father,  I  will  that  they  whom  thou  bust  '/w^n  me,  be  with  mc 
wlicre  I  am,"  John  xvii.  ?4. 


324  NOVEMBER  7. 

The  Lord  hath  laid  upon  him  the  iniquity  of  us  all,--- 
Isa.  liii.  6. 

Here  we  behold  the  transaction  of  the  glorious  trinity  in  the 
covenant  of  grace.  Here  is  the  display  of  grace  in  the  salvation  of. 
lost  sinners.  Jehovah,  the  Father,  lays  or  causes  to  meet  all  the< 
sins  of  his  people  upon  the  surety  of  the  covenant,  the  Son  of  his 
love.  Jesus  undertakes  to  bear  them.  The  Holy  Ghost  publishes 
this  joyful  truth  to  the  children  of  men  ;  he  works  faith  in  their  hearts, 
and  bears  witness  with  their  spirits  of  salvation  hereby.  Thus  the 
three  glorious  persons  in  the  Godhead  agree  in  one,  even  in  this  one 
truth,  salvation  by  Jesus.  Happy  is  the  man  who  believes  it.  Faith 
looks  to  the  purpose  of  grace,  and  rests  upon  the  accomplishment  of 
covenant-love. 

When  one  undertakes  to  be  surety  for  another,  then  the   debt  is 
reckoned  to  him,  and  he  accepts  it.     Thus  our  dear  Saviour,  our 
blessed  surety  stood  up  for  us,  engaged  in  our  behalf.     Our  debts, 
all  our  iniquities  were  imputed  to  him,  and  laid  upon  him,  charged 
upon  his  person  ;  "  he  bore  them  in  his  own  body  on  the  tree."  Fie 
Fully  satisfied,  perfectly  atoned  divine  justice  for  them.     "  By   the 
one  sacrifice  of  himself  he  hath  taken  them  all  away,  made  an  end 
of  sin  ;''  so  that  justice  itself  proclaims  its  own  faithfulness  to  forgive 
sm,   1  John  i.  9.     Grace  reigns,  mercy  triumphs,    sinners  are    par- 
doned, believers  rejoice.     O  believer,  thou  art  blessed  of  thy  God 
who  is  just,  therefore  doth  not,  cannot  impute  sin  unto  thee.     True, 
thou  hast  committed  sins  innumerable  ;  but  it  is  as  true,  they  were 
all  laid  upon  Jesus.     True,  thou  dost  commit  sins,  it  is  equally  true 
Christ  hath  borne  them.    Thou  wilt  commit  sins,  it  is  perfectly  true 
thy  Saviour  hath  atoned  for  them  all.     Thou  hast  nothing  to  plead, 
but  guilty  in  thyself,  but  perfectly  righteous  in  Christ.  Every  charge 
the  enemy  brings  from  the   righteous  law  against  thee  is  just :  own 
It ;  but  ever  plead  in  thine  own  conscience  and  before   the  throne, 
Jesus  hath  satisfied  for  all  ;  there  is  noiv  no  condemnation  to  me. 
O  believer,  this  is  a  most  precious  truth  of  God.     Not  thy  faith,  not 
thy  rcpentings,  not  any  thing  thou  canst  do  ;  but  Jehovah  laid  iniquity 
upon  Christ,  this  is  his  sole  prerogative.     Let  devils  rage  against  it, 
let  men  oppose  it ;  yet  will  this  truth  be  found  true  in  its  nature, 
most  htippy  in  its  coiiscqucnces  to  the  children  of  God.     Flencc  flow 
their  peace,  their  holiness,  their  heaven.     Flear  their   song  belov.' : 
"  The  love  of  Christ  constraincth  us,  because   we  thus  judge  ;  that 
they  which  live,  should  not  henceforth  live  unto  tlK'niselvcs,but  unto 
him  that  died  for  them  and  rose  again,"  2  Cor.  v.   14,   ]-,.     Hear 
their  triumph  al)ove  :  "  salvation  to  our  God  who  siLlelh    upan  tlie 
throne,  and  unto  the  I/amb,  who  hiUh  washed  us  from  our  sins  in  his  ' 
own  blood,"  Rev.  i.  5.. 


NOVEMBER  8.  325 

By  grace  are  ye  saved  through  faith ;  and  that  not  of  your- 
selves: it  is  the  gift  of  God. — Eph.  ii.  8. 

Sleep  is  the  image  of  death  ;  every  morning  we  awiike  is  a  kind 
of  new  life.  In  sleep,  how  insensible  of  danger  1  how  unable  to  pre- 
vent it  I  The  Lord's  mercies  are  renewed  every  morning;  his  watch- 
ful providence  is  our  safety.  R«.flect,  O  my  soul,  upon  the  unmerit- 
ed love  of  thy  God  1  Hi'ppy  for  thee,  daily  to  awivke  and  arise  from 
thy  bed  of  slumber  with  the  sense  of  free  grace  and  sovereign  love 
upon  thy  heart !  Temporal  mercies  are  heightened  and  improved  by 
a  sense  of  spiritual  and  eternal  blessings.  Disciple,  thou  livest  in  a 
space  of  time  in  which  tliou  mayest  look  back  upon  eternal  love,  look 
forward  to  eternal  glory,  and  look  upon  thyself  and  sec  whut  wonders 
grace  has  done.  Thou  art  this  day  called  to  consider  how  thou  art 
saved.  First,  in  the  pui pose  of  thy  God,  ere  thou  hadst  a  being, 
everlasting  love  which  gave  thee  existence,  decreed  thy  salvatiqn. 
Secondly,  in  accomplishment,  grace  provides  a  lamb  for  thy  ransom ; 
in  the  fulness  of  time  a  Saviour  is  bom  in  human  flesh  ;  he  lived 
for  sinners,  died  for  sin,  "  made  an  end  of  sin,"  made  reconcilia- 
tion for  iniquity,  brought  in  an  everlasting  righteousness ;  his  ex- 
piring breath  proclaimed,  salvation  work  is  finished ;  but  thy  poor 
soul  lay  in  nature's  darkness,  in  the  sleep  of  death,  and  would  have 
slept  on  till  the  arch-angcl's  dreadful  sound  of  the  trumpet  had 
wakened  tliee  to  everlasting  shame  and  confusion;  but  impossible 
this  :  being  saved  in  love's  decree,  being  redeemed  by  blood  divine, 
grace  challenged  thy  soul.  Therefore,  thirdly,  thou  art  saved  in 
enjoyment  "  through  faith;"  called  by  the  word  of  truth  ;  quickened 
by  the  Spirit  of  grace  ;  Jesus's  salvatioi)  become  the  desire  of  thy 
soul;  God  gave  his  Son  for  thee;  the  Spirit  gave  faith  to  thee :  hence 
Jesus  became  precious,  sin  hateful,  thyself  vile,  holiness  lovely  in 
thine  eyes  and  to  thy  heart;  thus  sinners  are  saved  by  grace  through 
faith;  they  have  no  hand,  no  share,  no  glory  at  all  in  this  matter: 
in  the  believing,  abiding  views  of  this  grace,  this  salvation,  consist 
all  our  peace,  love,  joy,  holiness,  heaven.  Why  then,  O  belie ver> 
art  thou  not  perfectly,  uninterruptedly  happy  and  holy?  Verily, 
because  thou  art  s.till  in  the  flesh;  thy  old  man  is  still  alive;  nature's 
pride  and  sinfulness  daily  resist  the  glory  of  grace  and  the  exercise 
of  faith:  but  in  opposition  to  all,  thou  art  to  abide  confident  in  the 
belief  of  the  truth,  daily  study  the  love  of  thy  God  and  Saviour;  this 
tends  to  sink  thee  in  humility;  daily  «onsidcr  thy  deserts  to  be  hell, 
and  adore  the  riches  of  sovereign  grace;  tliis  will,  through  the  bles- 
sing of  the  spirit,  keep  thee  from  boasting  in  self,  and  cause  ihcc  to 
glory  in  the  Lwd  only.  "  Salvation  is  of  faith,  Uut  it  m\g\\^  be  by 
grace,"  Rom.  iv.  16. 

Vol..  I.  R  r 


326  NOVEMBER  9. 

Behold  what  manner  of  love  the  Father  hath  bestowed  upon 
us,  that  we  should  be  called  the  sons  ofGod.-l  John  iii,  1, 

If  a  poor  insolvent  debtor,  who  sees  no  hope  but  to  end  his  mise- 
rable life  in  a  loathsome  gaol,  yet  is  unexpectedly  called  to  hear  tlic 
will  of  a  loving  friend,  whereby  an  ample  provision  is  bequeathed 
him,  fully  to  satisfy  all  his  wants,  how  must  this  rejoice  his  heart  I 
How,  in  the  ecstacy  of  his  joyful  mind,  would  lie  be  ready  to  call  upon 
everyone  around  him  to  behold  the  delightful  testament!  This  is 
but  a  fuint  view  of  the  inestimable  riches  of  glory  and  honor  be- 
queathed to  ruined  sinners  by  New-Testament  love,  ratified  and 
sealed  by  the  blood  of  Jesus.  Upon  the  view  of  this,  how  should  we 
be  filled  with  wonder,  fired  with  ecstacy,  and  our  transported  hearts 
should  not  keep  silence  1  Angels  see  and  admire,  saints  behold  and 
adore  the  marvellously  great,  the  inexpressibly  glorious,  the  won- 
derfully discriminating  love  of  the  Father  of  Jesus  I  amazing  to  tell! 
comforting  to  believe  !  transporting  to  feel !  Love,  the  love  of  God 
the  Father  hath  made  its  way  to  sinful  man;  his  love  flows  through 
the  heart  of  a  crucified  Jesus  ;  his  love  hath  reached  my  poor  heart. 
What  terms  have  we  fulfilled?  What  conditions  have  we  performed 
to  procure  this  invaluable  blessing?  O,  the  very  question  startles  the 
truly  gracious  soul  !  It  is  a  concern  to  his  generous  heart  to  hear 
such  proud,  vain  notions  taught;  he  rejects  the  thought  with  abhor- 
rence and  cries,  '  Pride,  thou  busy  foe,  begone.'  All,  all  is  freely 
given,  richly  bestowed. 

And  am  I,  vile  and  unworthy  as  I  am,  thus  called,  the  real  son  of 
God,  by  adoption,  through  the  faith  of  Jesus?  O  thou  heavenly  para- 
clete, thou  divine  sanctifier  ;  influence,  daily  influence  my  heart,  my 
tongue,  my  life,  to  glorify  my  Father,  my  Saviour,  my  God!  Though 
I  have  done  nothing  to  procure  this  inestimable  privilege,  yet,  en- 
joying this  rich  grace,  love  and  gratitude  demand  corresponding 
fruits,  a  holy  walk,  worthy  of  the  vocation  wherewith  I  am  called. 
Hence  assuredly  will  spring  another  evidence  of  God's  children ; 
therefore,  "  the  world  knoweth  us  not,  because  it  knew  hun  not." 
Though  our  dear  Saviour  «  went  abqut  doing  good,"  yet  even 
this  could  not  gain  him  the  approbation  and  esteem  of  tlie  world. 
Never  let  disciples  expect  to  be  above  their  master;  the  n»ore  we 
foUow  Jesus  and  arc  conformed  to  him  as  obedient  children,  stronger 
evidence  shall  we  have  of  the  world's  enmity,  and  of  our  Father's 
love;  let  us  rejoice  to  follow  Jesus,  and  be  glad  to  imitate  him  to  do 
good,  though  we  suffer  evil. 

Behold  wlifit  woml'rous  grace  'Tis  no  surprising  thing, 

The  Father  h.nth  hestow'd  Tliat  we  should  ho  unknown  ; 

On  sinners  of  a  mortal  race,  The  Jewish  world  knew  not  their  king, 

To  call  Ihera  sons  of  God  !  God's  everlasting  Sob. 


NOVEMBER  10.  ^27 

I  give  unto  them  eternallife;  and  they  shall  never  perish^ 
neither  shall  any  pluck  them  out  of  my  han(l-]o\m  x.  28. 

Thus  excellently  speuketh  the  immoit;il  Hervcy,"  What  words 
are  these!  And  did  they  come  from  him  who  hath  all  )  owt-r  in 
heaven  and  earth  ?  And  were  they  spoken  to  every  unlcigncd,  though 
feeble  follower  of  the  great  shepherd?  Then  omnipotence  itself  must 
be  vanquished  before  they  can  be  destroyed  citli«n- by  Uic  seduction 
of  fraud,  or  the  assault  of  violence"  The  followers  of  thi  Limb 
want  no  proof  of  Uie  divinity  of  their  Lord  and  Saviour  ;  it  is  plain 
from  the  word  of  truth;  they  believe  it  in  their  hearts.  "  The  gift 
of  God  is  eternal  life,"  saith  Paul,  Rom.  vi.  23.  «  I  give  my 
sheep  eternal  life,"  saith  Jesus;  therefore  Jesus  is  both  L</rd  and 
God.  To  give  temporal  life  is  not  in  the  power  of  a  finite  bei:.g ;  he 
who  gives  eternal  life,  must  be,  as  our  Jesus  is,  the  hifinitc  and 
eternal  Jehovali  over  all,  God  blessed  for  evermore.  How  full  of 
jicracc  and  glory  is  this  text!  What  consolation  may  the  childreii  of 
faith  draw  from  it !  Here  is  their  mercy;  they  are  in  the  hands  of  their 
precious  Saviour;  hence  they  are  safe  and  secure.  ''They  shall 
never  perish,"  saith  Jesus,  who  is  the  iruih.  "  None  shall 
pluck  them  out  of  my  hand,"'  saith  he  who  hatli  all  power  in 
heaven  and  earth.  "  I  give,"  saith  the  Saviour,  noiv,  at  iliis  pre- 
sent—what? Grace  into  their  hands,  which,  if  they  improve  well, 
shall  entitle  them  to  glory  ?  Infinitely  more ;  nothing  less  than  lilc, 
spiritual  life,  eternal  life,  the  life  of  their  immortal  soul ;  this  gloi  lous 
gift  is  enjoyed  by  faith.  "  This  is  life  eternal,  to  know  the  only  true 
God  and  Jesus  Christ  whom  he  hath  sent,"  John  xvii.  3. 

Thus  is  Christ  precious,  salvation  certain,  and  etern..l  life  secure 
to  every  believing  soul;  but  as  to  the  knowledge  and  enjoyment  of 
this  life,  in  the  experience  of  saints,  they  oficn  find  great  abatements 
of  its  vigour  and  comfort.  Hence  the  various  frames  ihey  are  ex- 
ercised with.  Spiritual  life,  in  its  knowledge,  comfort  and  enjoy- 
ment, is  opposed  by  a  life  of  sense  in  the  chrisdan,  and  spiritual 
opposition  from  within  and  without  him  ;  the  devil,  the  world,  and 
the  flesh,  strive  to  pluck  Christ's  sheep  out  of  his  hands.  Corrupt 
teachers  give  the  lie  to  our  Saviour,  and  say  such  a  thing  may  be : 
hence  the  heart'  of  his  sheep  are  distressed;  impossible  for  any 
of  Christ's  sheep  to  perish;  if  he  doth  not  give  eternal  life  to  Vhcm 
all,  then  his  truth  must  fail;  the  covenant-oath,  promises  of  the 
God  of  truth,  must  all  be  broken;  our  faith  is  void,  the  gospel  is  of 
no  effect ;  our  comfort  and  joy  arise  from  our  being  sin.plc  «■>  heart, 
firmly  relying  upon  our  Saviour's  declaration,  living  upon  lus  word, 
looking  to  him,  and  expecting  without  the  least  doubt,  we  shall 
most  certainly  be  "  kept  by  the  power  of  God  through  failh  unto 
salvation,"  1  Pet.i.  5. 


328  NOVEMBER  11. 

And  he  trembling  and  astonished  said,  Lord,  what  wilt 
thou  have  me  to  do  ? — Acts  ix.  6. 

Such  are  the  effects  when  sovereign  grace  reacheth  a  sinner's 
heart.  When  the  light  of  truth  shines  in  the  conscience,  it  mhkes 
the  stoutest  heart  to  tremble.  When  Jesus  is  manifested  to  the 
soul,  it  causes  astonishment  and  creates  love.  Transient  convictions 
of  sin  often  beget  horror  of  conscience,  and  they  often  pass  away  as 
the  morning  cloud  and  early  dew.  Such  conversions  are  very  com- 
mon ;  slnnerb  are  frequently  turned  from  one  sect  and  system  of 
opinions  to  another ;  yea,  also  their  lives  and  practices  may  be  re- 
formed, and  they  may  seem  to  be  converted  ;  and  often,  where  is 
the  least  cause,  there  is  the  greatest  confidence  ;  especially,  if  such 
persons  are  confirmed  in  their  hopes  by  great  pretensions  to  expe- 
rience, and  can  talk  much  of  ecstacies  and  raptures,  visions  and  reve- 
lations, which  they  suppose  came  from  God :  while  many  continue 
poor,  trembling,  self-emptied,  and  low-abased  souls,  they  know 
and  feel  nothing  but  sin  and  helplessness  in  themselves  ;  yet  from  a 
discovery  of  the  glory  of  Jesus  and  the  perfection  of  his  salvation, 
seek  all  in  him,  and  expect  all  from  him  ;  but  yet  they  remain  diffi- 
dent of  their  state  and  doubtful  of  their  conversion ;  they  are  exercised 
with  great  perplexity  of  mind  at  times  concerning  themselves.  In 
both  cases  time  only  manifests  the  truth  of  conversion.  Effects  best 
prove  their  cause. 

When  Christ  is  revealed  to  the  heart ;  when  the  soul,  by  the  eye 
of  faith,  "  sees  him  who  is  invisible,"  it  is  manifested  by  holy  mourn- 
ing and  godly  sorrow  for  past  conduct,  humble  hope  and  scripture 
confidence  of  salvation  :  and  this  excites  prayer  to  Jesus  for  instruc- 
tion, «  Lord,  what  wilt  thou  have  me  to  do  ?"  The  soul  desires  to 
obey  his  will  in  truth  and  love.  The  habitiial  frame  of  the  soul 
to  Christ,  his  salvation,  his  truths  and  commandments,  is  a  stronger 
evidence  of  real  conversion  than  all  the  visions,  ecstacies,  horror  or 
transports  which  the  passions  can  yield.  So  St.  Paul's  after  conduct 
to  Jesus  and  his  cause,  fully  proved  that  he  had  felt  the  power  and 
tasted  the  sweetness  of  a  Saviour's  love.  Though  every  conversion  is 
not  produced  in  the  same  extraordinary  manner  St.  Paul's  was,  yet  the 
soul  of  every  believer  is  turned  to  the  very  same  object,  Jesus,  for 
whole  salvation.  Thus  « Jesus,  the  exalted  Prince  and  Saviour, 
gives  repentance  and  forgiveness  of  sins.  The  witness  of  this 
is  the  Holy  Ghost,  whom  God  gives  to  them  who  obey  him,'^ 
Acts  V.  31,32. 

As  new-horn  babes  desire  the  breast,  Not  by  the  terrors  of  a  slave. 
To  feed  and  grow  and  thrive  ;  Our  souls  obev  Christ's  ■will ; 

•So  saints  with  joy  the  gospel  taste,  But  with  the  noblest  pow'i-s  we  have. 
And  by  the  gospel  live.  We  love  and  serve  liim  still. 


NOVEMBER  12.  320 

Go  back  again  :  for  what  have  I  done  to  thee  P — 1  Kings 
xix.  20^ 

It  seems  marvellon?  thot  the  simple  act  of  Elijah  casting  the 
skirts  of  his  mantle  upon  Elijah,  should  cause  him  to  leave  oxen 
and  plouj^h.  parents  ar.d  habitation,  to  run  after  a  stranger.  Doubt- 
less there  is  a  mystery  of  the  Spirit  under  the  history  of  the  letter  ; 
the  outward  act  of  Elijah  could  not  have  had  this  effect,  unless  the 
inward  power  of  the  strong  Lord  had  accompanied  it.  So  l-'eter 
might  have  cast  his  net  and  toiled  all  his  days  eve  he  had  taken  a 
fish  with  a  piece  of  money  in  its  mouth,  unless  the  Lord  Jesus  had 
effected  this  by  his  power. 

Elijah's  passing  by  Elisha  and  casting  his  mantle  upon  him,  and 
the  effect  that  followed,  is  a  striking  resemblance  of  the  Lord,  strong 
in  power  and  wonderful  in  grace,  passing  by  us  poor  sinners,  and 
casting  his  mantle  of  love  over  us.  Call  to  mind,  disciples  ;  endea- 
vour daily  to  remember  ibat  time  of  love  when  thy  gracious  Saviour 
passed  by,  saw  thee  polluted  in  thy  blood,  immersed  in  busy  care, 
when  worldly  hopes  and  carnal  delights  engrossed  thy  whole  concern  ; 
no  eye,  no,  not  thine  own,  pitied  thy  precious  iinmoru-l  soul ;  thou 
neither  saw  its  misery,  nor  feared  thy  danger.  But,  suith  thy 
Saviour,  «  when  I  passed  by  Uiee  and  looked  upon  thee,  behold, 
thy  time  was  a  time  of  love,"  Eztk.  xvi.  8.  O  the  mighty  charm 
of  divine  love  1  How  is  the  heart  attracted  aiid  drawn  after  Jesus,  as 
Elisha  to  Elijah.  So  says  the  smitten  soul  to  Jesus,  "I  will  follow 
thee:"  and,  like  him,  its  affections  arc  drawn  fron.  worldly  objects, 
and  acts  as  the  woman  of  Samaria  when  she  found  the  xMessiali ;  she 
forgot  her  errand,  and  left  her  water-po;  behind  lier. 

"  What  manner  of  man  is  this,"  said  the  disciples  of  Jesus  in 
astonishment,  "  that  even  the  winds  and  the  seas  obey  him  ?"  Surely 
we  may  cry  out  in  admiration  with  St.  Jolm,  "What  manner  of  love 
is  this  ?"  What  a  mighty  God  is  Jesus,  that  the  power  of  his  love 
attracts  our  stubborn  hearts,  imd  causes  us  to  follow  him  !  What 
cause  ever  to  admire  the  power,  and  adore  the  fieencss  of  Jes.ib' 
love  !  It  found  us  ere  we  sought  it.  Little  did  Elishii  think,  m  the 
hour  of  his  ploughing,  of  being  called  to  u.e  high  honor  of  bting 
the  Lord's  prophet.  Ah,  what  was  thy  employ  when  Jesus  firi.t 
cast  his  mantle  over  thee  ?  Perhaps,  like  Paul,  sinning  with  a  high 
hand,  employed  in  the  devil's  drugery,  in  open  rebellion  against  a 
loving  Saviour,  and  yet  priding  thyself  in  tlie  filthy  rags  ot  thm« 
own  righteousness  ;  but  now  this  is  the  joy  and  rejoicing  of  faith  ; 
where  God  casts  the  mantle  of  his  love,  that  soul  he  clothes  with 
the  robe  of  his  Son's  righteousness.  So  "grace  reigns  by  Jc»us 
Christ  unto  eternal  life,"  Rom.  v.  21. 


330  NOVEMBER  13. 

While  we  look  not  at  the  thi?igs  xvhich  are  seen,  but  at  the 
things  which  are  not  seen  :  for  the  things  which  are  seen, 
are  temporal;  but  the  things  which  are  not  seen^  are 
eternal. — 2  Cor  iv.  18. 

The  faith  of  the  gospel  stamps  vanity  upon  the  righteousness, 
glory  and  happiness  of  every  object  short  of  Jesus.  When  the 
soul  beholds  the  King  in  his  glory,  it  pours  contempt  upon  all  things 
beside ;  i.ll  the  transient  objects  of  time  and  sense  die  in  esteem 
while  the  crucified  Saviour  is  in  view  ;  this  is  our  greatest  gain,  our 
chiefcst  glory.  Far,  infinitely  beyond  all  the  reasonings  of  vain 
philosophy,  is  the  christian's  sight  by  faith,  to  reconcile  his  mind  to 
artlictions,  endure  with  patience  under,  and  give  victory  over  them. 
Thus  Moses  "endured,  seeing  him  who  is  invisible,"  Heb.  xi.  27. 
Though  the  eye  of  nature  hatJi  not  seen,  nor  the  uncircumcised  car 
hath  heard,  nor  can  the  carnal  heart  conceive  the  spiritual  things  of 
God's  covenant,  Jcsus's  incarnation,  and  the  Spirit's  revelation  ;  yet 
the  enlightened,  heaven-born  soul,  sees  these  things  in  open  vision 
by  the  eye  of  faith  ;  to  look  at  them  is  his  chief  delight  and  joy,  to 
obtain  clearer  views  of  them  his  daily  study,  to  converse  and  be 
more  familiar  with  them  is  his  chief  happiness,  his  heaven  begun 
on  earth ;  a  strange  mystery  to  his  natural  self  and  to  the  carnal 
world,  is  the  believing  soul;  to  love  and  converse  with  an  unseen 
Saviour,  to  look  to  invisible  objects,  to  derive  all  happiness  from 
things  that  are  not  seen  ;  no  marvel  that  there  should  be  so  great 
.sight  of  opposition  from  fallen  nature  and  carnal  reason  against  such 
a  life. 

Soul,  ever  remember  with  humility  and  thankfulness,  our  dear 
Saviour  saith,  "  unto  you  it  is  given  to  know  the  mystery  of  the 
kingdom  of  God,"  Mark  iv.  11.  "  These  things  arc  hid  from  the 
wise  and  prudent."  O  disciple,  whilst,thou  dost  adore  the  Father's 
love,  dost  rejoice  in  the  Son's  grace,  remember  thou  art  wholly 
indebted  for  all  this  rich  discovery  to  the  divine  Spiiit ;  give  him 
equal  glory  ;  grieve  not  the  Spirit,  who  isthe;  glorificr  of  Jesus,  by 
turning  thine  eyes  to  any  other  object  for  righteousness,  peace,  and 
happiness.  Is  Christ  thine  all  ?  Are  the  unseen  things  of  his  king- 
dom thy  portion  ?  Be  a  chaste  virgin  to  thy  Lord.  <'  "Where  thy 
trea^iire  is,  there  let  thy  heart  be  also."  ILippy  for  thcc  to  fiiul  with 
Paul,  «  I  die  daily."  I  am  dying  to  the  world  while  living  in  it  ;  I 
find  and  feel  many  pains  and  disorders  in  my  fr;iil  body  as  sure  fore- 
bodings of  hastening  dissolution  ;  Lknow  perfectly  that  the  day  of 
the  Lord  is  coming,  that  each  breath  I  draw  brings  nearer  tins 
solemn  advent.  What  then  should  I  look  to?  Upon  what  should  my 
alTcctions  be  placed  ?  Blessed  be  God  for  revealing  these  eternal 
things  as  our  portion.     «'  Be  careful  for  nothing,"  J^c.  Phil,  iv  6. 


NOVEiMBER  14.  331 

Perfect^  as  pertaining  to  the  conscience. — Hcb.  ix.  9. 

CoxsciExcE,  or  an  imvard  perception  of  divine  truth,  is  not 
common  to  all  men ;  when  bin  is  churgeil  upon  it,  it  perceives  its 
guilt,  knows  and  feels  nilscry,  and  is  filled  with  wrath.  This  is  the 
peculiar  glory  and  cxcellenty  of  the  gospel,  it  brings  relief  to  the 
conscience.  We  say,  my  mind  to  me  a  kingdom  is ;  for  we  feel  in 
our  minds  the  kingdom  of  Jesus.  We  enjoy  somewhat  more  in 
Jesus  than  outward  show  and  shadow  ;  even  inward,  substantial  com- 
forts. What  was  that  lord  the  belter  for  the  miraculous  plcniy  in 
Samaria,  when  for  his  unbelief,  Elisha  told  him,  "thou  shalt  sec- 
it  with  thine  eyes,  but  shalt  not  eat  of  it?"  2  Kings  vii.  1.  The 
truths  of  Jesus  do  not  merely  amuse  our  heads  and  engage  our 
tongues,  but  we  feed  on  them  in  our  consciences.  Like  the  patri- 
archs, Heb.  xi — "  Wc  embrace  them"  as  the  very  joy  of  our  souls. 
The  blood  of  Christ,  through  the  eternal  Spirit,  sprinkles  our 
hearts  from  an  evil  or  guilty  conscience,  brings  pardon  and  peace 
of  mind  to  our  troubled  conscience,  cleansing  to  our  defiled  con- 
science, and  «  by  the  resurrection  of  Jesus,  we  have  tlic  answer  of 
a  good  conscience  towards  God,"  1  Pet.  iii.  21.  Herein  we  glory 
in  being  perfectionists  ;  nothing'but  this  can  make  us  "perfect  per- 
taining to  the  conscience;"  for  the  law  makeih  nothing  perfect,  but 
the  bringing  in  of  a  better  hope  docs  ;  Jesus  is  our  hope  ;  by  him 
we  draw  nigh  to  God  ;  in  his  blood  we  perceive  and  know  by  faith  we 
have  a  perfect  atonement  and  perfect  cleansing  from  all  our  sins, 
perfect  deliverance  from  the  condemnation  of  the  law  ;  in  his  righte- 
ousness we  are  perfectly  accepted  and  justified  before  God  ;  this  is 
our  wedding  garment ;  this  we  have,  being  married  to  the  Lamb  ; 
we  dare  not  look  to  any  thing  else  for  p'erfection  ;  if  we  do,  we  feci 
the  smart  of  it ;  our  conscience  is  defiled.  That  we  may  have  and 
keep  a  good  conscience,  purged  from  dead  works  to  serve  the  living 
God,  we  exercise  our  minds  on  Jesus  ;  so  we  rejoice  in  Jesus,  and 
walk  with  him  by  faith.  Conscience  is  the  best  friend  or  the  worst 
enemy  ;  a  sense  of  guilt  makes  it  our  worst  enemy  ;  Jesus  makes  it 
our  best  friend.  To  maintain  peace  and  perfection  of  conscience, 
observe  first,  the  moment  tlic  guilt  of  sin  is  felt,  confess  it  to  Jesus, 
and  pray  him  to  "take  it  away.  Secondly,  seek  not  that  from  the 
law  of  works  wliich  can  only  be  found  in  the  gospel  of  grace,  perfect 
salvation.  Thirdly,  look  not  for  that  in  yourselves  which  is  only  m 
Jesus,  perfect  righteousness.  Tourthly,  expect  not  that  m  this 
world  which  can  only  be  enjoyed  in  the  next,  perfect  freedom  from 
all  sin.     «'  Jesus  is  our  rock,  his  work  is  perfect,"  Dcut.  xxxii.  4. 


532  NOVEMBER  15. 

My  God  shall  supply  all  your  need^  according  to  his  riches 
in  glory,  by  Christ  Jesus — Phil.  iv.   19. 

Paul,  thout^jh  an  eminent  saint,  and  a  great  apostle,  was  yet  a 
man  of  like  passions,  a  poor  sinner,  even  as  others.  Yet,  with  what 
amazing  boldness  and  confidence  he  speaks  of  what  his  God  shall  do  ! 
Though  he  had  never  been  admitted  into  tlie  secret  counsels  of  the 
glorious  trinity  ;  yet  the  holy  Spirit  had  well  instructed  him,  in  the 
covenant  transactions  of  Jehovah.  He  well  knew  the  nature  of  the 
everlasting  covenant :  that  it  was  "  ordered  in  all  things  "  in  infinite 
wisdom  and  eternal  love  :  that  all  the  graces  and  blessings  contained 
in  it,  are  sure  to  all  the  heirs  of  promise.  As  soon  might  a  God 
of  truth  prove  false,  a  God  of  faithfulness  be  unjust,  as  any  one  of 
his  promises  in  Jesus  to  his  people  fail. 

Such  is  the  security  of  the  covenant ;  such  the  confidence  of  faith. 
God  the  Father  is  the  fountain  ;  the  Son  the  treasury  ;  and  the  Spirit 
the  dispenser  of  all  grace.  Believers'  needs  are  God's  concerns. 
They  shall  have  a  rich  supply  for  all  their  wants.  The  value  of 
their  supplies,  ai-e  enhanced  to  the  highest  degree.  Not  only  riches, 
but  riches  in  glory  ;  glorious  riches.  They  receive  all  from  glory, 
and  all  comes  to  them  through  the  glorified  man  Jesus  Christ.  He 
is  their  "  Friend  who  loveth  at  all  times  :  their  brother  who  was 
born  for  adversity."  In  the  hour  of  our  distress  and  in  the  time  of 
our  need,  we  too  often  forget  that  we  have  such  a  God  and  Saviour 
to  trust  in  and  call  upon.  Instead  of  looking  to  a  throne  of  grace, 
we  pore  over  our  dunsrhill  of  corruptions  ;  here  we  arc  sure  to  find 
nothing  but  misery,  poverty,  and  sin.  Is  there  such  an  inexhaustible 
fund  of  riehes  in  Christ  Jesus  ?  Is  it  for  the  poor  and  needy  ?  Dis- 
honorable thought  of  Jesus,  ever  to  imagine  he  is  an  unconcerned 
spectator  of  our  wants,  or  that  he  will  withhold  when  we  need.  Nay, 
but  he  "  knows  how  to  have  compassion."  He  is  touched  with  a 
tender  sympatliy,  <'  a  feeling  sense  of  our  infirmities,"  Hcb.  iv.  15. 
"  Trust  in  him  at  all  times,  ye  people,  pour  out  your  hearts  before 
him,  God  is  a  refuge  for  us  ;"  and  the  Psalmist  adds,  "  Seiuh,"  Psa. 
l^tii.  8.  Consider  this  well,  spread  it  before  your  mujds,  just  as  we 
put  N.  B.  for  Nota  Bene  ;  take  special  notice  of  this,  it  is  of  tlie 
greatest  importance.     "  Lord  help  our  unbelief." 

When  in  the  light  of  faith  divine  In  him  my  v.ist  desires  arc  fill'd. 
We  look  on  things  helow,  And  all  my  pow'rs  icjoice. 

Honor,  and  gold,  and  sensnal  joy  In  v:un  the  world  accosts  my  ear. 
How  vain  and  dani^erous  too.  And  tempts  niv  heart  anew  ; 

God  is  mine  all-sufiicicnt  aid,  I  cannot  b^iy  you'-  l)liss  so  dear. 
My  portion  and  my  choice  ;  Nor  part  with  Jicav'n  for  you  ' 


N6VEMBER  16.  333 

But  rather  rejoice,  because  your  names  ore  xvritten  in  Jiea- 
ven.—\j\\\iz  X.  20. 

It  is  matter  of  great  joy  to  faithful  minisicrs  of  the  gospel  to 
see  the  work  of  their  Lord  prosper  in  their  hands,  salan  dethroned, 
and  the  kingdonn  of  Jesus  set  np  in  the  hearts  of  poor  sinners. 
Our  Lord  by  no  means  discourages  rejoicing  on  this  account ;  but 
his  loving  heart  would  not  have  it  terminate  and  centre  in  tliis  only  ; 
for  their  success  may  abute,  a  season  may  come  when  they  niivy  lukc 
up  tliis  lamentation,  ''  Lord,  who  hath  believed  our  report  V*  we  sec 
no- more  tokens  of  thy  victorious  grace.  Therefore,  lest  their  hands 
should  hang  down,  and  their  hearts  grow  dejected  and  faint  in  their 
labours,  he  directs  them  to  an  inexhaustible  fountain  of  consol;ition 
and  joy  :  "  Your  names  are  written  in  heaven."  Always  rejoice  in 
this.  Remember  you  arc  always,  "  unto  God  a  sweet  savour  of 
Christ,  as  well  in  them  that  perish  as  in  them  that  are  saved," 
2  Cor  ii.  15. 

This  is  also  a  sweet  lesson  to  every  christian.     It  is,  douI)tles3, 
cause  of  great  joy  to  find  and   feel   the  power  of  sin  and  satan  snb- 
tlued,  corrupt  lusts  mortified,  dii^ordcrly  passions  restrabied,  unruly 
appetites  brought  into  subjection,  and  the  meekness  and  power  of 
Christ  to  have  the  rule  and  government   in  one's  heart.     For  these 
spiritual  blessings  we  are  inexpressibly  indebted  to  the  Holy  Spirit, 
through  the  faith  of  Jesus.     Notwithstanding,  «  in  this  rejoice  not" 
(only  and  chiefly)  saith  Jesus.     He  leads  us  from  the  streums  to  the 
fountain  ;  from  the  effects  to  the  cause.     «'  Raher  rejoice   because 
your  names  are  written  in  heaven."     In  times  of  heaviness,  through 
manifold  temptations,  fi-ames   may  vary..    In   seasons  of  darkness, 
feelings  and  comforts  may  decline,  "  nevertheless  the  found^ttion  of 
God  standeth  sure,  having  this  seal,  the  Lord  knowcth   them  that 
are  his,"  2  Tim.  ii.  19.     But   can  anyone   know  that  his  name  is 
written  in  the  book  of  life  ?     Doubtless  :  else  th(^'e  is  no  meaning  in 
our  Lord's  words.     How  can  one  rejoice  on   this  account,  if  he  do 
not  know  it  ?     Though  we  cannot  read  the  book  of  life,  yet  we  have 
the  records  of  truth.     These  reveal  it  plainly,  and  assure  us,  <' We 
are  the  children  of  God,  by  faith  in  Clirist  Jesus,"  Gal.  iii.  26.     If 
wc  have  faith  in   Jesus,  the  faith  of  God's  elect,  this  is  an  evidence 
of  our  adoption,  and  we  may,  we  ought  to  rejoice.     So  Paul,  who 
had  the  mind  of  Christ,  speaking  of  some  whose  names  arc  written 
in  the  book  of  life,  immediately  adds,  "  Rejoice  in  tiic  Lord  alway  ; 
and  again  I  say  rejoice,"  Phil.  iv.  4.     But  may  not  our  names  be 
blotted  out?  No  ;  that  is  impossible.     Wc  are  assured,  "whatsoever 
God  doetli  it  sh^ll  be  forever  ;  nothing  can  be  put  to  it  or  tukcn  from 
it,"  Eccles.  iii.  M. 

Vor..  I.  S  s 


334  NOVEMBER  17. 

He  is  our  peace. — Eph.  ii.  14. 

When  Jehu  came  to  take  possession  of  the  crown  of  Israel,  Jeza- 
bel  put  this  (as  she  thousi^ht)  cutting  question,  "  Had  Zimri  peace 
who  slew  his  master?"  2  Kings,  ix.  31.  As  Jehu  was  called  and 
anointed  to  be  king  of  Israel,  according  to  the  word  of  the  Lord, 
so  is  every  christian  called  and  anohited  by  the  word  and  Spirit 
to  the  kingdom  of  Jesus.  "  He  hath  made  us  kings  and  priests  unto 
God  and  his  Father,  to  him  be  glory,''  &c.   Rev.  i.  6. 

But  ere  we  take  possession  of  our  crown  of  glory,  we  must  expect 
many  severe  and  aggravating  questions  from  tlie  mouth  of  the 
adversary  on  earth.  Verily,  he  hath  great  reason  to  urge  the  most 
cruel  treatment,  and  to  charge  upon  us  the  vilest  behaviour  to 
our  master,  Jesus  ;  that  bloody  deed  of  crucifying  the  Lord  of  life 
and  glory  was  caused  by  our  sins.  Not  a  transgression  a  disciple  of 
Jesus  commits,  but  the  precious  blood  of  his  master  was  spilt  for. 
The  life  of  sin,  and  love  of  sin,  is  in  our  nature  ;  and  the  law  of 
sin  is  in  our  members,  and  while  we  are  daily  exposed  to  sin  in  our 
practice,  satan  like  a  powerful  Assyrian  army,  will  invade  our  land 
of  nature,  and  attack  the  peace  of  our  souls.  What  can  we  do  ?  If 
we  deny  his  charge,  and  say,  "  We  have  no  sin,  we  deceive  ourselves, 
and  the  truth  is  not  in  us."  Acknowledge  his  accusations  we  must  j 
all  in  nature,  reason,  and  conscience,  unite  to  witness  against  us. 
But  shall  this  destroy  the  comfort  of  our  minds,  the  hope  of  our 
souls,  and  the  peace  of  our  hearts  ?  Then  how  small  our  knowledge  I 
how  feeble  our  faith  !  how  weak  our  hearts  in  the  grace  which  is  m 
Christ  Jesus  I  All  the  power  of  darkness,  all  the  curses  of  the  law, 
sll  the  accusations  of  sin,  blessed,  for  ever  blessed  be  the  grace  of 
our  God,  cannot,  shall  not  overthrow  this  soul-comforting,  Christ- 
exalting,  love-exciting  truth  ;  this  man,  even  Jesus,  who  was  born 
in  Bethlehem,  and  died  at  Calvary,  "  he  is  our  peaces  he  hath 
made  peace  by  the  blood  of  his  cross,"  Col.  i.  20.  The  everlast- 
ing gospel  proclaims  it ;  the  eternal  law  of  love  confirms  it ;  by  faith 
we  receive  the  joyful  news  of  it;  by  the  Spirit  our  souls  enjoy  the 
sv/e-et  sense  of  it ;  by  the  word,  the  blessed  Spirit  stirs  up  our  pure 
minds  by  exhortations  and  examples  to  look  unto  Jesus,  look  off 
from  every  other  hope,  turn  from  every  other  object.  His  name, 
his  nature,  his  offices,  his  work,  all  speak  peace  to  poor,  guilty, 
self-condemned  souls,  whose  only  hope  is  Jesus.  The  work  of 
(Jesus')  righteousness  shall  be  peace  ;  and  the  effect  of  (his)  righ- 
teousness, quietness  and  assurance  forever,  Isa.  xxxii.  17. 

O,  let  our  voices  never  cease  It  cost  him  cries  and  tears     , 

To  sinp  the  Saviour's  name  ;  To  I)ring  us  near  to  God  ; 

.Jesus,  th' ambassador  of  peace.  Great  was  our  debt,  and  he  appeiii'S 

ffaw  cheerfully  he  came  !  To  inukc  the  payment  good. 


NOVEMBER  18.  335 

J  five  say  we  have  no  sin^ive  deceive  ourselves  and  the  truth 
is  not  in^us. — .1  John  i.  8. 

Sincere  uprifrht  souls  before  God,  U^e  sciipiurcs  deem  //r  r- 
fect.  They  arc  free  from  hypocrisy  and  dissimiiluiiou  ;  ihcy  jud)^c 
and  speak  of  themselves  according  to  triuh  ;  Christ  wlio  is  essentially 
the  truth,  dwellcth  in  their  hearts  by  faith  ;  the  Spirit  leads  ihcm 
into  all  truth,  conccrnin};  themselves  and  salvation  in  Christ.  Sutuni 
who  abode  not  in  the  truth,  is  ever  blinding  souls  to  the  tiuth,  striv- 
ing to  seduce  them  from  the  truth,  and  to  make  them  not  only 
deceive  others,  but  themselves  also.  He  never  baits  his  hook  with 
a  more  alluring  bait  than  pride.  He  aims  to  maliC  us  think  of  our- 
selves more  highly  than  we  ought  to  think,  and  to  judge  of  ourselves, 
and  say,  "  I  am  not  like  other  men,"  I  have  no  sin?  I  am  perfect. 
This  is  the  very  essence  of  Pharisceism. 

That  very  moment  any  soul  says  so,  he  is  under  the  influence  of 
a  lying,  deceitful  spirit ;  "  he  bridleth  not  his  tongue,  he  deteivcth 
his  own  heart,  his  religion  is  vain,"  James  i.  2G.  "  He  flattcrctli 
himself  in  his  own  eyes,  till  his  inicjuity  be  found  hateful,''  Psalm 
xxxvi.  2.  But  if  we  see  no  sin,  if  we  feel  no  sm  in  us,  are  we  not 
to  tell  of  our  happy  state  ?  Is  not  Jesus  glorified  hereby  who  hatli 
thus  perfectly  saved  us  ?  Seeing  and  feeling  !  If  one  in  a  high 
fever  says,  "lam  quite  well,  I  feel  no  disorder,"  we  arc  sure  he 
has  a  deceitful  sense,  he  is  not  in  his  right  mind.  Alas  !  our  senses 
are  deceitful  judges  ;  they  may  delude  us  ;  they  most  certainly  do, 
if  they  testify  contrary  to  the  truth  of  God's  word.  Our  Saviour  is 
only  glorified  by  the  truth.  What !  shall  we  give  the  lie  to  the 
Spirit  of  truth  and  the  word  of  truth,  under  pretence  of  glorifying 
Jesus  ?  Beware,  O  soul,  "  satan  transforms  himself  into  an  angtl  of 
light,  and  makes  thee  think  and  say,  thou  hast  no  sin,"  for  another 
reason  than  to  glorify  Christ,  even  to  glorify  thyself  in  tliinc  own 
eyes,  and  in  the  sight  of  others.  Hear  confident  Peter.  Little  did 
he  think  wJiat  was  in  his  heart  when  he  said,  (perhaps  he  saw  no  sin, 
nor  felt  no  sin  at  that  time)  "  Though  I  die  with  thee,  yet  will  I  not 
deny  tliee."  Think  of  his  awful  full,  his  horrid  oaths,  and  dreadful 
imprecations,  and  be  humble.  Awful  effects  are  not  wanting  in  our 
day,  of  such  whom  satan  has  pufied  up  with  this  unscripiural  noiion 
of  being  sinlesa  ;  but  dreadful  effects  have  followed.  The  higher 
the  elevation,  the  greater  the  fall.  O  soul,  ever  remember,  "  thou 
standcst  by  faith  ;  this  leads  us  entirely  out  of  ourselves  to  ti»e  per- 
icction  of  Jesus.  Be  not  high-minded,  exalted  wiUi  the  notions  of  a 
state  contrary  to  God's  truth,  here  styled  self-deceit,  but  fear  ;" 
ever  be  afraid  of  setting  up  thyself  in  opposition  to  the  positive 
assertions  of  the  Spirit  of  truth.  He  who  says  he  has  no  sin,  com- 
mits  sin  in  saying  so;  for  he  lies,  the  truth  is  not  in  bini,»ljc  i» 
deceived  by  the  father  of  lies. 


336  NOVEiMBER  19. 

This  is  the  record,  that  God  hath  given  to  us  eternal  life : 
and  this  life  is  in  his  Son  :  he  that  hath  the  Son  hath 
life.-^l  John  V.  11,  12. 

Sovereign  power  permits  man  to  fall.  Guilt  fills  the  wretched 
pair  with  dread,  and  cuts  off  all  hope  in  God,  all  claim  upon  him. 
Hence  our  first  parents  "  fled  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord,  and 
bid  themselves."  Sovereign  love  interposed,  and  the  poor,  guilty, 
trembling  partners  in  woe  were  called  before  their  highly-offended, 
justly  provoked  Lord.  Was  it  to  behold  him  clothed  with  ven- 
geance ?  To  hear  the  sentence  of  their  eternal  doom  to  destruction  ? 
To  see  hell  opened  to  receive  them  ?  No  ;  be  astonished,  O  heavens  ! 
Kcjoice  ye  apostate  children  of  hell-deserving  parents  1  They  were 
to  hear  a  record  of  whit  was  transacted  in  the  eternal  court  and 
counsel  of  heaven,  published  on  earth.  This,  instead  of  wrath, 
brought  mercy  ;  instead  of  woe,  blessing;  instead  of  eternal  death, 
everlasting  life  ;  instead  of  a  hell  of  misery,  a  heaven  of  happiness 
to  their  trembling  hearts. 

Fallen  man  came  not  to  meet  God,  to  sue  for  pardon,  and  entreat 
grace,  but  fled  his  presence.  But  the  Lord  follows  sinful  man  with 
love  in  his  heart ;  not  to  propose  terms  of  accommodation  or  condi- 
tions of  peace,  but  to  proclaim  the  joyful  news  of  eternal  life  as  the 
free  gift  of  free  favor,  unmerited  grace,  unconditional  mercy,  in 
and  by  the  seed  of  the  woman,  Jesus  Christ.  Glorious  record  of 
love  !  Blessed  testimony  of  life  !  Joyful  tidings  of  grace  !  Hast  thou 
heard,  known,  and  believed  this  record  ?  "  Praise  the  Lord,  O  my 
soul,  and  all  that  is  within  me  praise  his  holy  name."  Behold  and 
admire  the  wisdom,  as  well  as  the  love  of  thy  God.  In  this  rejoice 
always ;  be  humble  continually.  Life,  eternal  life,  is  given  us. 
This  life  is  in  God's  beloved  Son,  therefore  can  never  be  lost  and 
forfeited.  "  Our  life  is  hid  with  Christ  in  God."  O,  if  Jesus  dwells 
in  our  hearts  by  faith,  we  have  God's  beloved  Son,  we  have  eternal 
life.  .  The  report  of  this  is  joyful  to  our  cars.  The  enjoyment  of 
this  enters  our  hearts,  creates  our  present  heaven,  and  fills  us  with 
joyful  hopes  of  future  glory.  We  have  the  strongest  confidence,  tlie 
fullest  assurance  to  animate  our  souls,  "  Because  I  live,  s;uth  the 
head,  ye  (my  members)  shall  live  also,"  John  xiv.  19.  God  hath 
gi-ixc^  us  eternal  life.  He  is  faithful,  he  Avill  not  revoke  his  own 
precious  free  gift.  Jesus  hath  overcome  every  enemy  and  opposer 
that  might  prevent  our  enjoyment  of  etcrnid  life.  The  holy  Spirit 
hath  effected  such  an  union  to  Jesus,  as  can  never  be  broken.  "  We 
are  joined  unto  the  Lord,  and  arc  one  spirit,"   l  Cor.  vi.  1 7. 

LoiSk  up,  my  soul,  to  )iim,  And  li^imhly  view  the  living  sti-caiis. 

\ri.05e  death  was  thv  desert;  .  Flow  i\om  hh  pierced  keart. 


NOVEMBER  20.  337 

Hide  not  thy  face  from  for  me;  put  not  thy  servant  away 
in  anger:  thou,  hast  been  my  help;  leave  me  not,  neither 
forsake  me,   0  God  of  my  falvation.-^i^sulm  xxvii.  9. 

"  Love  never  fuileth  :"  it  ever  worketh  in  the  heart  of  disciplcB 
towards  its  beloved  object.  Love  cannot  bear  disi;iiRe  or  separation 
from  Jesus  ;  the  thought  of  it  is  grievous  and  painful ;  the  dread  of 
it  makes  the  soul  plead,  fills  the  mouth  witli  arguments,  lest  the 
poor  heart  should  lose  the  sweet  sense  and  comforting  savour  of  the 
love  of  God.  His  presence  is  its  heaven,  his  absence,  is  its  hell : 
his  smiles  create  joy,  his  frowns  bring  {^loom  ai.d  sorrow  on  the 
mind.  When  the  heart  feels  a  sensible  withdrawing  of  God,  and 
the  light  of  his  countenance  is  hid,  it  cannot  but  be  restless  and  un- 
easy. Real  believers  experience  Christianity  to  be  more  than  a 
name — doctrines  more  than  mere  speculations  to  HIl  ilie  hand  and 
amuse  the  thoughts — in  ordinances,  somewhat  more  is  enjoyed  {ban 
a  dull  round  and  formal  attendance  upon  them.  CliribUanity  is  a 
life  of  love  :  it  consists  in  knowing  and  enjoying  the  (iod  of  truth, 
of  faithfulness,  and  of  love  in  his  ordinances. 

Therefore  a  loving  soul  most  of  all  fears  the  anger  of  its  lovirg 
Father ;  it  dreads  to  br  put  aw.  y  in  dtspleasuie.  though  but  lor  a 
moment.  To  be  left  to  one's  self.  O,  tins  calls  up  one's  ciics  ar.d 
tears,  and  urges  one  to  plead  hard  with  one's  de*i  iiaviour.  "  Tiiou 
hast  been  iny  help."  Pas^t  experiences  of  the  love  unci  power  ol  its 
Lord  are  remembered,  and  urged  as  a  plea  for  present  help  and 
future  hope.  God's  precious  promises  of  faitlilulmss  and  truin,  O 
they  arc  beheld  as  "  filly  spoken,  like  apples  of  gold  in  piciuits  of 
silver,"  Prov.  xxv.  II.  Past  love  car^not  be  for^otlen  ;  p.si  ner- 
cies  are  recalled.  What  the  Lord  is  still,  ui  tlie  r.ppropri..iions  of 
faith,  is  pleaded,  "Forsake  me  not."  Why  so?  Bee. .use  ''L.t-ti  art 
the  God  of  my  salvation."  To  whom  should  we  go  but  to  ihcc.  O 
Jesus  ?  Thou  hast  the  words  of  eternal  life  Forsake  not  ihu  work 
of  thine  own  hiuids  :  the  soul  for  whom  thou  did:>t  toil  aijd  suflcr, 
bleed  and  die.  There  is  salvation  in  thee,  and  in  no  othtr.  I 
have  found  it  so.  Arise,  O  thou  sun  of  rightcousne-ss,  sc.ttiT  the 
clouds  of  darkness,  the  mists  of  sin,  and  fogs  of  unbciitf;  recall 
my  wandering  steps;  revive  my  drooping  spirit;  *'  Bring  near  tl.y 
salvation  in  present  peace  and  love."  Such  will  be  the  cries  and 
pleadings  of  Jesus-loving  hearts.  Such  arc  the  genuine  octings  of 
that  faith  which  workcth  by  love.  It  ever  hath  a  f.'orf  hi  Chriai  for 
its  object,  his  faithfulness  and  truth  for  its  support,  lis  proniisies 
for  its  pleas,  his  glory  for  its  aim.  and  the  comfortable  ••*  .sc  i.r.d 
eiijoymcnt  of  his  love  as  its  portion  and  heaven.  "  Whom  ha|^  1  in 
heaven  but  thee  ?  and  there  i%  none  on  cut  th  thai  1  desire  Lcsidc* 
thee,"  Psalm  Ixxiii.  23.  '" 


535  NOVEMBER  21. 

Thou  shalt  go  before  the  face  of  the  Lord  to  prepare  his 

rvays  :  to  give  knowledge  of  salvation  unto  his  people 
by  the  remission  of  their  sins- — Luke.  i.  76,  77. 

The  day  of  gospel-truth,  like  the  light  of  the  morning,  breaks 
forth  gradually  upon  the  benighted  soul,  and  itincreaseth  to  mid-day 
brightness  and  glory.  "  The  path  of  the  justified  is  like  the  shhiing 
light,  that  shineth  more  and  more  unto  the  perfect  day."  Thus  it 
is  in  the  experience  of  enlightened  souls.  The  light  of  God's  word 
■manifests  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  gradually  ;  it  discovers  con- 
demnation and  guilt  by  the  law,  and  grace  and  pardon  by  the  gospel. 
The  baptist  dispensation  prepares  the  way  in  the  heart  before  the 
soul  enjoys  the  sweet  sense  of  pardon  of  sins  through  the  faith  in 
Jesus.  The  law  is  a  voice  only  of  wrath  and  terror  to  the  soul ;  it 
leaves  the  poor  sinner  in  the  dreadful  state  it  finds  him  ;  it  pronoun- 
ces nothing  but  curses  upon  him  ;  it  can  shew  him  no  remedy  ;  it 
points  to  no  hope  ;  to  work  wrath  in  the  conscience  and  to  condemn, 
is  all  the  broken  law  can  do. 

The  voice  of  the  baptist  cries  to  the  soul  in  a  wilderness  state;  but 
it  is  rather  the  hoarse  cry  of  austere  severity  than  the  charming, 
melodious  voice  of  peace  and  love  ;  it  calls  to  baptism  of  repentance, 
%  confession  of  sins,  a  change  of  mind  concerning  former  hopes  of 
salvation,  and  also  a  change  of  life  and  practice.  The  poor  sinner 
is  hei-eby  "  warned  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come" — is  pointed  to 
« the  lamb  of  God,  who  taketh  away  the  sin  of  the  world."  Most 
souls  seem  to  be  brought  under  this  dispensation  ;  some  continue  for 
8  long  season  in  it ;  they  are  in  suspensa  l^etwcen  hope  and  fear  con- 
cerning their  slate.  The  Spirit  of  wisdom  sees  meet  it  should  be  so. 
The  name  of  Jesus  is  precious  to  them  ;  his  word  is  their  hope  ; 
his  promises  the  stay  of  their  souls.  The  kiiigdom  of  Jesus  is  at 
l>and  in  knowledge  and  comfort.  Salvation  by  Christ  is  made 
known  to  them  :  but  as  yet  they  do  not  enjoy  the  assurance  of  their 
interest  in,  and  the  knowledge  that  their  sins  are  forgiven  throMgh 
the  blood  of  Clu-ist.  They  are  the  people  of  Gpd,  though  they  are 
not  fully  assured  of  it,  not  having'yet  received  "the  baptism  of  remis- 
sion of  sins"  by  tlie  Spirit  of  adoption ;  but  pardon  is  the  certahi 
privilege  of  believing  souls;  it  is  sure,  by  the  promise  of  a  faithful 
God  K'it  is  obtained  !>y  the  precious  blood  of  Jesus;  it  assuredly 
shall  be  enjoyed  as  the  gift  of  the  comforting  Spirit.  "The  vision 
is  yet  for  an  appointed  lime  5  but  at  the  end  it  shall  speak,  and  not 
lie  :  though  it  tarry,  wait  for  it,  because  it  will  surely  come,  it  will 
not  tarry.  "  The  just  shall  live  by  faith,"  Ilabbak.  ii.  3,  4.  As  sure 
as  John  the  baptist  has  prepared  the  way  in  thy  heart,  "  the  Loid 
whom  thou  seekest  shall  suddenly  come  to  his  temple,"  Mai.  iii.  ].' 


NOVEMBER  22.  339 

f'F'ait  on  the  Lord :  be  of  good  courage,  ami  he  shall 
strengtheji  thine  heart  :  ivait,  I  sai/,  on  the  Lord. — 
Psiiim  xxvii.  14. 

'' Be  of  good  courage  I"  Ahib,  how  ciuj  one  be  so,  \Yhcn  all 
sense  unci  feelinij  lend  to  disheui  icn  the  mind  and  deject  the  houl  ? 
Lively  frames  in  duty,  sweet  enlargements  of  heart,  hcuvenly  trans- 
ports of  joy,  delightful  ecstacies  of  fiiith,  ravislng  tastes  of  love, 
all,  all,  like  Noah's  dove,  have  taken  their  flight:  and  I  fear,  says 
the  drooping  soul,  never,  never  more  to  return.  Truly,  like  Hezc- 
ki'ah,  "  I  mourn  as  a  dove,  liiinc  eyes  fail  with  looking  upward,  O 
Lord  I  am  oppressed,  undertake  forme,"  Isa.  xxxviii.  14,.  Still, 
saith  the  comforter  by  his  word,  "  Be  of  good  courage."  Remem- 
ber thy  calling  :  It  is  to  live  by  fJth,  to  honor  thy  Lord,  and  be 
obedient  to  his  word.  Thou  hast  the  sentence  of  death  in  tliyself, 
that  thou  shouldst  not  trust  in  thyself,  lest  thine  heart  depart  from 
thy  Lord.  Not  frames  and  feelings,  bftt  God's  love  and  promises  in 
Christ  Jesus  to  sinners,  are  the  foundation  of  hope.  These  are 
abundantly  sufficient  to  inspire  the  soul  v.ilh  courage,  yea  with  good 
courage,  to  go  on  in  the  ways  of  .the  Lord. 

Here  is  the  steadiness  of  faith  ;  to  cleave  to  Jesus,  to  abide  by  the 
truth,  steadily  to  persevere  in  the  paths  of  duty  in  the  course  of 
obedience  to  him.  Shall  this  ever  be  suspended  because  we  have 
not  lively  frames  and  joyful  feelings  ?  How  would  this  prove  that  we 
•walk  by  faith,  and  that  our  eye  is  single  to  Christ's  gloiy?  Nay,  wc 
shall  then  serve  the  Lord  only  by  fits  and  starts  of  sense  and  passion, 
rather  than  by  the  uniform,  consistent  obedience  of  faith.  The 
Lord's  word  is  our  rule  of  duty;  his  promises  our  support;  his  grace 
is  sufficient  for  us  ;  his  strength  is  made  perfect  in  our  weakness. 
If  our  hearts  are  weak,  that  we  cannot  run  wiih  alacrity  the  way  of 
Clod's  commandments  as  we  desire,  so  much  the  more  reason  have 
we  for  our  souls  to  wait  on  the  Lord  for  the  times  of  refreshing  from 
his  presence.  He  will  strengthen  our  hearts,  "  for  he  givcth  power 
to  the  faint,  and  to  them  that  have  no  might  he  iucreaseth  strength," 
Isa.  xl.  29.  «  Wait  I  say  on  the  Lord."  David  repeats  the  injunc- 
tion, with  a  holy.fcrvor,  both  to  his  own  soul  and  to  others.  God 
has  promised,  expect  fulfilment.  Here  is  tfie  exercise  of  faith, 
trust  in  the  Lord  Christ  for  what  wc  stand  in  need  of:  iicpk,  cx- 
pectijig  to  receive  all  from  him  ;  of  patience,  waiting  continually  upon 
liim.  Most  precious  promise  !  "  They  that  wait  upon  the  Lord 
shall  renew  their  strength,  they  shall  mount  up  \\ilh  wings  as  eagles, 
they  shall  run  and  not  be  weary,  and  they  shall  walk  and  not  faint," 
Isa.  xl.  31.  '"The  Lord  direct  your  he.iris  into  the  love  of  God, 
and  into  the  patient  waiting  for  Christ,"  2  Thcss.  iii.  5. 


340  NOVEMBER  23. 

Now  faith  is  the  substance  of  things  hoped f or  ^  the  evidence 
of  things  not  seen. — Ht  b.  xi.   1. 

Happiness,  that  inestimable  jewel,  every  man  is  in  search  after. 
But  to  seek^t  from  objects  vmseen  ruc)  invisible  to  our  natui"&l  senses, 
is  a  downright  paradox,  and  will  be  ever  condemned  as  tlie  greatest 
absurdity  in  the  judgment  of  dcpiaved  sense  and  carnal  reason.  In 
the  knowledge,  love,  ar.d  enjoyment  of  God,  true  hc.ppiness  alone 
consists,  '  The  only  living  and  true  God  hath  revealed  himself  in 
Christ  Jesus.  This  is  the  christian's  God.  He  knows  no  other. 
It  is  a  blessed  truth  built  upon  and  supported  by  the  word,  oi  God. 
By  faith  this  subsists  in  his  mind,  and  is  clear  and  evident  to  his  new- 
born soul. 

From  this  inward  believing,  "  That  God  was  in  Christ,  reconciling 
the  world  to  himsell,"  O  what  an  extensive  prospeci  for  hope  ariseth  I 
God  in  Christ ;  the  promises  all  in  Christ ;  he  that  bclieveth  is  in 
Christ.  Christ  dwelleth  in  his  heart  by  faith  :  ail  the  blessings  of 
time  ;  all  the  glories  of  eternity  are  sure.  They  are  settled  by  the 
yea  and  amen  of  God,  upon  such  believing  sculs.  Shall  any  bold 
emissary  from  sat»ui,  demand  of  such  a  soul,  "  What  right  hast  thou 
to  the  inheritance  of  this  good  land  ?  Abraham's  sons  have  Abra- 
ham's plea.  It  is  mine  by  promise  ;  by  faith  I  sojourn  in  it,  God's 
promise  is  faith's  claim,  What  he  has  spoken  is  the  ground  or  sub- 
sistence of  hope.  But  may  not  other  witnesses  stai.d  up  and  declare 
against  the  christian  J  Yea,  doubtless,  many  ;  froiii  the  old  man,  the 
flesh,  satan,  and  the  law.  But  the  first  is  under  sentence  of  death, 
his  witness  is  invalid.  Satan  is  a  known  liar  from  the  beginning, 
therefore  no  credit  is  to  be  given  to  him  ;  the  evidence  of  law  is  out 
of  date  ;  it  is  superceded  by  the  promise  ;  "  for  the  law,  which  was 
four  hundred  and  thirty  years  after  the  covenant,  which  was  confimed 
by  God  hi  Christ,  cannot  disannul  it,  that  it  should  niake  the  pro- 
mise of  none  effect,"  Gal,  iii.  17.  But  blessed  be  our  Lord,  though 
he  suffers  his  children  to  be  attacked  by  many  adversaries,  he  doth 
not  leave  himself  without  a  witness  and  un  evidence  in  their  hearts. 
Though  each  one  of  them  cannot  say,  I  know  I  am  a  child  of  God,  yet 
the  weakest  believer  in  Jesus  hath  the  evidence  of  truth;  the  wit- 
ness in  himself,  of  tlie  reality  and  certainty  of  uivisible  objects, 
*'  thii;>gs  not  seen  ;"  of  things  past  in  the  eternal  covenant  of  grace 
and  peace  ;  of  things  in  time,  the  finished  work  of  Jesus;  of  things 
to  come,  the  glories  of  an  eternal  world  ;  and  amidst  opposition 
from  every  quarter,  here  is  the  proof  of  the  inward  subsistence  and 
evidence  of  spiritual  and  invisible  objects,  in  their  longing  for  strong- 
er faith  in  them,  and  clearer  knowledge  and  enjoyment  of  them. 
*''l'o  eveVy  one  that  hath  shall  be  given,  and  he  shall  have  abundance,'* 
Matt.  XXV.  29.  - 


NOVEMBER  24.  541 

The  word  of  God  which  cJftTfuulhj  v.'orlccth  also  in  you 
that  believe. — 1  Thcss.  ii.  13. 

A  PRocLAMATiox  of  i^race  from  an  earthly  kii.g  lius  rctiuccd  ihe 
most  despot  ate  and  burdened  rebels  to  ley  down  il.iir  urnis  ai.d  pro- 
mise true  allcG^ia'ice.  But  though  the  word  ol  God  is  u  procluiiuiiion 
of  free  grace,  glad  tidings  of  lull  pardon;  though  repute  w  iiii  the 
most  tender  expostulations  and  the  most  tiideariiig  invitaiions,  yet 
so  abniiiinable  is  oui  perverseness,  so  daiing  cur  obstiiuxy,  tLut  we 
should  remain  deaf  to  every  call,  and  continue  huidcncd  in  our  rebill- 
ion  against  the  most  high  God,  till  wc  fall  victims  to  1  is.  justly  de- 
served wrath.  For  unbelief  shuts  up  every  uvei  ur  of  the  toul  against 
the  light,  truth,  peace,  and  love  of  the  word  ol  tied.  Lui.  O  .iiu  z- 
ing  love!  lie  in  the  dust,  C)  my  soul  !  i.dore  the  power  ol  cur  all- 
conquering  Saviour  !  The  gracious  Spiiit  m.kes  giacious  w ords 
effectual.  Hence  faith  esteems  eveiy  portion  of  the  }.^ospel  i.s  the 
food,  the  life,  the  joy  of  the  sf)ul.  B\  the  i.ger.cy  ol  ilic  Spiiii  tl.c 
word  becomes  powerful  to  beget  faiih,  and  llicu  works  eff(.ciu^.ily  in 
believing  hearts. 

Those  speak  unadvisedly  who  c;ill  the  word  of  God  a  dead  letter. 
Indeed  St.  Paul  saith,  "  the  letter  kiileth  ;"  but  this  can  never  prove 
God's  word  to  be  dead.  That  which  is  dead  itself  carpol  kill.  We 
should  distinguish  between  the  letter  of  the  law  that  kiileth  uU  flesh, 
and  the  gospel  of  grace  that  worketh  life  ai.d  salvation  in  all  who 
believe.  When  we  read  the  word  of  God,  wc  should  never  consi- 
der it  distinct  fiotn  the  essential  and  personal  word,  Jc&tts.  He  is 
emphatically  styled  the  word  of  God — Rev.  xix.  1  3.  He  who  execut- 
ed all  the  purposes  of  the  word  of  truth,,  works  tflectuully  in  the 
hearts  of  the  children  of  faith.  Hence,  the  once  despised  and  lightly 
esteemed  Nazarene  is  known,  believed  in,  and  loved  »s  most  pie- 
cious  ;  "the  chicfest  among  ten  thousand,  yea  as  altogether  lovely." 
God's  precious  promises  in  Jesus,  once  wholly  uiiregaided,  are  now 
sweetly  prized  :  they  are  beheld  as  sweetly  ranged  aid  profusely- 
scattered  throueh  every  page  of  the  lively  oracles.  '1  he  Spirit's  loly 
gifts  and  sanctifying  graces  are  pleaded  as  God's  blessed  charter  of 
free-grace.  All  hi§  sovereign  edicts  and  absolute  dcclaratior.s  of 
grace  and  salvation,  instead  of  being  proudly  cavilled  agaiirst,  ai:e 
bowed  to  with  humility.  In  the  word  of  our  King  there  is  power. 
Sin  and  satan  are  dethroned  in  the  heart,  and  Je^us  rules  and  reigns 
in  the  soul.  Thus  the  word  of  Ciod  is  quick  aiid  powerful  ;  thus  it 
works  effectually  to  salvation. 

This  is  the  wor.l  of  tnuh  and  love  Miiv  h-it  this  Rracc  inv  sntil  renew, 

Sint  to  tlie  liiilioiis  'fi-oni  jihove  ;  Let  siniiiTs  pi/.e  :mil  li:itf  me  UK) ; 

J(}iov,ih  in  hi.s  wonl  cloth  shew  The  v  oi-«l  that  saves  n.e  tines  eiiRaje 

Wlin  his  almighty  arm  can  <1».  A  sure  dcfcuce  from  uU  Uicii-  r«g«. 

Vol.  I.  T  t 


342  NOVEMBER  25. 

For  7ne  to  live  is  Christ,  mid  to  die  is  gain. — Phil.  i.  21. 

O  HAPPY,  happy  soul !  who  can  thus  say  with  Paul,  « in  life, 
in  death,   Christ  is  my  gain  !"  Verily,  if  thou  believest  on   the  Son 
of  God,  thou  niayest.     Thou  also  hast  the  same  right  and  the  same 
I'eason  as  he  had.     Paul  was  a  poor  sinner,  even  as  thou  art ;  but 
Christ  was  all  his  gain  :  so  he  is  to  thee  and  every  one  who  believes     J 
in  him.     Come  christian,  let  us,  like  the  wise  trader,  state  our  ac-     ' 
counts  of  loss  and  gain  and  see  the  sum  total  this  day.     In  self-right-    - 
eousness  before  God,  peace  with  God,  love  to  God,  hope  in  God, 
power  to  please  God,  enjoyment  of  God,  the  life  of  our  souls,  yea,    1 
our  souls  themselves  are  all  lost.     We  are  all  a  lump  of  sin,  b«nk-    '] 
rupt  sinners,  insolvent  debtors  to  law  and  justice,  and  are  exposed  to 
lie  for  ever  in  the  prison  of  hell.     Awful  loss. 

What  is  our  gain  ?    Inestimable  riches  I  nothing  less  than  pre- 
cious Christ,  and  a  precious  salvation  !  O,  is  his  dear  name  enrolled 
in  the  book  of  our  hearts  ?  Can  we  read  Jesus  there?  Then  in  Christ 
we  have  perfect  righteousness  before  God,  full  acceptance  with  God, 
free  access  to  God,  love  from  God,  peace  with  God,  hope  of  enjoy- 
ing, yea,  present  fellowship  with  God  ;  we  are  his  children  in  Christ 
Jesus  ;  all  that  he  has  is  ours  ;  every  attribute  and  perfection  of 
Jehovah  are  engaged  for  us  ;  his  Spirit  is  ours,  to  make  us  holy  and 
happy  here,  and  to  lead  us  to  eternal   felicity  hereafter.     But,  sulth 
the  poor  believing  sinner,  "  I  am  put  to  a  stand   in  my  reckoning  ; 
though  Christ  is  my  g^n,  yet  I  have  not  entirely  lost  my  burden,  sin.     A 
Sin  is  still  alive  in  me."     Stop  not,  O  soul,  reckon  on.     Though  we     ' 
have  sin,  feel  sin  raging  and  rebelling,  what  then  ?  In  Christ  we  have 
gained  a  sacrifice  for  it,  and  redemption  from  it.     His  precious  blood 
hath  taken  away  all  the  guilt  of  sin  from  us,  and  all  the  wrath  due  to 
lis  from  the  justice  of  God.     So  it  stands  upon  record  in  the  court  of 
heaven,  and  the  Holy  Ghost  is  witness  of  it  on  earth  ;  therefore  re- 
cord this  in  the  court  of  conscience.  Faith  can  shew  a  discharge  from 
the  guilt  of  sin  and  the  curse  of  the  law,  therefore  reckon  yourselves 
to  be  dead  indeed  unto  sin.     Dead  indeed,  how  emphatic  !  yes,  as 
much  dead  to  sin  as  a  coi  pse  buried  undier  ground  ;  arid  as  much  alive 
to  God  in  Christ,  as  though  you  had  never  committed  one  sin,  nor 
have  any  sin  in  you.    "  For,  O  precious  words  !  the  law  of  the  Spirit 
of  life  in  Christ  Jesus,  hath  made  us  free  from   the   law  of  sin  and 
death,"  Rom.  viii.  2.     Thus  in  Christ  we  gain  a  perfect  victory  over 
sin  and  the  law.     But  say,  will  sin  destroy  our  mortal  bcjdies  ?  let 
it ;  this  is  all  it  can  do ;   it  cannot  hurt  cur  immortal  souls  ;  for, 
thanks  be  to  God,  in  Chiisi.  we  have  a  complete  victory  over  death  ; 
Christ  is  our  gain  in  death.      We  shall  lose  nothing  by  deiith  but  sin 
and  s^orrow  :  wc  shall   gain — what  ?  Eternal  glory.     "  We  shall  be 
with  our  Jesus,'*  John  xvii.  24. 


NOVEMBKR  26.  343 

Behold!  he  cometh  xvith  clouds  ;  and  every  eye  shall  see 
him. — Rev.  i.  7. 

With  what  ardor  of  heart  may  every  believer  cry  out,  blessed 
be  God,  every  hour  brinies  nearer  the  solemn  advent,  tlic  glorious 
appearing  of  the  great  God  and  our  Saviour  Jesus  1  "  O  christian^ 
now  is  our  salvation  nearer  than  when  wc  first  believed."  Gome, 
tliou  once  despised  Nazurenc,  thou  once  crucified  Saviour  :  he  shall 
come  ;  he  will  come  quickly,  and  be  seen  in  human  form.  Shi-ll  wc 
not  see  those  wounds  and  scars  in  his  body,  the  tokens  of  liis  inesti- 
mable love  to  and  perfect  victory  of  his  cross  for  us  poor  suintrs  ? 
How  joyful  \\\  the  exercise  of  faith,  the  fervor  of  love,  the  expecta- 
tion of  hope,  is  this  contemplation  !  This  quells  the  fears  of  nature, 
mortifies  its  lusts,  subdues  its  corruptions.  To  this  end  are  wt  Lorn 
again  of  the  Spirit,  that  wc  should  enjoy  the  visions  of  faith,  see 
Jesus,  live  by  faith  upon  him,  have  fellowship  with  him  in  the  suffer- 
ings of  his  cross,  and  long  for  his  appearing  in  glory.  Then  shall  wc 
share  with  him  in  the  glories  of  his  kingdom.  "  He  shall  come  to 
be  gloried  in  his  saints,  and  admired  in  all  them  that  believe. 

Whence  then  our  dejection  of  mind,  our  fear  of  death,  our  un- 
willingness « to  be  absent  from  the  body,  that  we  may  be  present 
with  the  Lord  ?  Truly,  all  this  ariseth  from  the  mystery  of  iniquity 
which  worketh  in  us.  But  here  is  our  wisdom,  to  oppose  the  mys- 
tery of  faith  to  that.  Never  venture  to  think  of  your  own  dying,  with- 
out considering  the  death  of  Jesus  ;  look  not  at  your  own  sins,  w  ilh- 
out  looking  at  the  blood  of  Jesus  ;  think  not  a  moment  of  his  appear- 
ing as  a  judge,  without  remembering  him  as  our  precious  S..viour  ; 
dwell  not  on  the  glory  tmd  majesty  of  his  etci  nal  power  and  Godheud, 
without  reflecting  on  his  humble  form,  his  mar.hood  state  ;  conceive 
not  of  him  as  a  king  and  lawjjiver,  without  considering  him  as  a  priest 
to  atone  for  our  sins,  an  advocate  to  pUcul  our  cause,  and  our  loierun- 
ner  entered  into  the  heavens/or  us  ;  for  so  shall  we  d.eily  prove,  that 
wc  are  more  than  conquerors  over  every  foe  that  opposcih  the  holi- 
ness and  comfort  of  our  souls,  through  Jesus  who  loved  us.  "  Be- 
hold,  he  cometh  !"  O  joyful  day  !  most  desirable  sight  1  then  our 
sorrows,  our  fears  shall  for  ever  cease.  Then  our  eyes  sh;ill  sec  our 
dearest  friends  ;  our  foes,  that  we  this  day  fi.nd  and  feel,  we  sh.Jl  see 
no  more  for  ever.  "  To  them  that  look  f<.v  him,  siiall  he  appear  the 
second  time  without  sin  unto  salvaiion."  «'  O,  lift  up  youi"  headi 
with  joy,  for  your  rcelcmption  draweih  nigh." 

Cl.iist  is  tlic  m.in,  th'  cxaKcd  man,  Tliase  soft,  tl.osc  Messed  foi-t  ofl.ii, 

Whom  we  unseen  adore  :  That  ouci-  rmlc  iio;i  torr, 

But  when  our  cj  i-s  behold  lus  face,  IUsh  on  a  thro.io  o!  light  the)  itand. 

Our  hearts  shall  love  bim  more.  Auil  all  the  iaiuts  adore. 


344  NOVEMBER  27. 

Thou  shah  guide  me  -with  thy  counsel^  and  afterwards  re- 
ceive me  to  glory. — Pbaini  ixxiii.  '24<. 

That  is  a  precious  caution  of  our  loving  Suviour,  "  Judge  not 
according  lo  Uie  apptarunce,"  John  vii.  24.  St.  Paul  reproves 
saints,  "  Do  ye  look  on  things  alter  the  outward  tippearauce  ?" 
2  Cor.  X.  7.  Through  this  conduct,  sdnts  in  all  ages  have  puzzled 
their  minds,  distressed  their  souis,  and  have  been  tempted  to  hard 
thcMights  of  their  God.  They  have  not  '•  judged  righteous  judg- 
ment," in  respect  to  carnal  men  and  the  dispensations  ol  God's 
providence  to  them.  So  we  see  Job  greatly  exercised,  (Job  xxi.  7.) 
and  Asaph  in  the  above  Psalm.  But  alter  the  cloud  of  carnal  rea- 
soning and  unbelief  passed  over  their  nunds,  the  sun  of  glory  and 
truth  shone  again  with  splendor  upon  them ;  then  faith  puts  lorih 
its  lively  exercises  and  sweet  approbations  of  God.  "  O  my  God 
and  Saviour,  I  see  tly  ways  to  man  are  just !  Righteous  art  thou, 
O  Lord,  thou  art  my  God,  1  will  love  thee  :  Thou  shalt  guide  me 
by  thy  counsel,"  &c.  As  tJic  Lord  is  often  Sidd  to  make  a  covenant 
with  liii^  people  when  it  was  only  renewing  his  old  covenant  of  grace 
and  love  in  Christ  Jesus,  so  fai'h  frequently  makes  a  fresh  choice 
of,  claim  to,  and  glory  in  the  Lord  Jesus.  "  My  counsel  shall 
stand,  and  1  will  do  all  my  pleasure,  saith  the  Lord,"  Isa.  xivi.  10. 
Amen,  saith  the  believing  heart.  By  thy  word  ai::d  Spirii  guide  me 
continually  ;  I  cannot  guide  myself.  Jesus  be  thou  my  guide,  my 
companion,  and  my  familiar  fiiend. 

Blessed  christian  J  though  in  Paul's  case.  Acts  xxvii.  20 — «  When 
neither  sun  nor  stars  app  ared  for  many  days,  when  no  small  tem- 
pest is  upon  thee,  and  ail  hope  of  being  saved  seems  taken  away,'* 
yet  Jesus  is  at  the  helm.  Thy  vessel  shall  ride  out  every  storm  ; 
he  will  guide  safe  to  the  haven  of  glory,  and  blessedness.  Some 
persons  seem  so  wholly  taken  up  with  prying  into  the  secret  purposes 
and  inscrutable  depths  of  God's  decrees,  that  they  take  no  heed  to 
their  steps,  but,  like  the  philosopher  who  was  so  intent  in  observing 
the  starry  heavens,  that  being  careless  of  his  walk  he  fell  into  a 
ditch.  Not  God's  secret  purposes,  but  his  revealed  truths  are  the 
objects  of  our  faith  :  "  his  word  is  a  light  to  our  feet :"  by  tliat 
he  counsels  and  directs  us.  The  gracious  Spirit  leads  and  guides 
hk.  children  in  the  piths  of  peace  and  holiness.  It  is  true,  the  path 
to  glory  is  unpleasing  to  the  flesh,  and  therefore  is  ever  opposed  by 
it ;  but  as  there  is  a  disposition  in  regenerate  souls  to  long  for  glory, 
so  also  a  love  in  them,  to  God's  word  and  the  way  of  holiness.  In 
this  the  children  of  God  are  manifest.  All  such,  God  will  most 
certainly  receive  to  glory-  "  As  maiiy  as  arc  led  by  the  Spirit  ®f 
God,  they  are  the  sons  of  God,"  Rom.  viii.  14. , 


NOVEMBER  28.  345 

Zealous  of  good  works. — Tit.  ii.  14;. 

CaLi.  K)  mind,  disciple  of  Jesus,  how  \\\  limcs  [last  lliou  cildst 
■walk  accordinj;  to  the  couisc  of  this  woiid,  fiiliillin<;  ilic  desires  of 
the  flesh  and  of  the  mind  ;  and  yet  the  God  of  this  world  so  blinded 
thine  eyes,  and  so  deceivcil  thine  heart  (strange  infatuation  I)  that 
thou  didst  talk  of  and  trust  in  even  what  had  no  existence,  thine 
own  good  works.  Glory  to  the  rich  gr.tce  of  our  Saviour,  who 
delivers  us  from  the  natural  notions  of  our  corrupt  reason,  the  pride 
of  our  free-will,  and  the  vain  confidence  of  our  own  ri^'hteuusncss  ! 
Now  all  our  glorvinj;  is  in  Jesus  ;  for  though  by  nature  wc  are  slaves 
to  our  lusts,  in  bondage  to  iniquity,  our  minds  defiled,  our  conscien- 
ces impure,  and  therefore  to  every  good  work  reprobalCi  yet  such 
was  the  love  of  Jesus  to  us,  that  ''  he  gave  himself  for  us,"  He 
hath  redeemed  us  from  all  iniquity  ;  he  hath  purifit  d  us  unto  himself 
as  a  peculiar  pf;ople,  "  zruious  of  good  works"  By  the  knowledge 
of  faith  we  arc  pcrsuuded  Jfsus  lovos  us,  deligliis  ui  us,  grants  us 
peculiar  familiarity  with  himself,  bestows  peculiar  blessings  on  us, 
and  hath  made  peculiar  provisions  for  us.  both  in  lime  ijid  eternity. 
Hence  christians  are  inspired  with  apfculiai  zeul  for  good  v^oIks;  a 
zeal  according  to  godliness.  We  love  our  God  and  only  Saviour  ; 
therefore  we  delight  to  serve  and  study  to  glorify  him  in  our  souls  ai.d 
bodies.  Our  sinful  lusts  and  passions  are  coutrary  to  him;  therelore, 
as  assisted,  we  daily  strive  and  pr.y  to  mortify  and  suhdue  them. 
To  do  good  to  the  souls  and  bodies  of  all  men,  especially  to  tlicm 
that  are  of  the  household  of  faitln  is  well  pleasing  to  the  Lord  ; 
therefore  it  is  the  joy  of  our  hearts  to  abound  in  those  things.  Here 
true  zeal  centers,  that  we  do  good  from  a  good  prit.ciple,  love  to 
God  ;  from  a  good  motive,  Jesus  hatli.  commanded  it ;  with  a  good 
aim,  that  the  glory  of  his  name,  the  honor  and  interest  of  his  c^usc 
may  be  advanced  in  the  world  by  us.  Such  a  z -al  stabs  the  pride  of 
self-seeking  and  vain  glorying  ;  for  our  best  works,  our  ehufest 
good,  is  to  glorify  our  God  and  Saviour.  Godly  souls  blush  there- 
fore, and  arc  grieved  to  the  very  heart  wiien  a  thought  arises  of 
doing  any  good  w«nk  to  procure  the  favor  ot  God  or  to  secure  his 
love  to  our  souls,  or  to  entitle  us  to  his  kingdom.  This  is  to  glorify 
ourselves.  But  we  have  not  so  learned  Christ  as  to  oppose  God's 
free-grace  truths,  dishonor  a  God  of  love,  degrade  the  glory  of  our 
precious  Saviour,  for  we  give  all  the  glory  to  him,  as  having  done 
all  for  us.  We  sec  salvation  finished  by  him,  and  glory  secured  to 
us  in  him;  therefore,  in  love  we  desire  to  be  wholly  devoted  to  hn«, 
and  to  do  those  things  that  may  glorify  him  onhj  "who  hath  bought 
us  with  his  blood,"  1  Cor.  vi.  2Q.  This  is  truly  a  zcul  according 
to  knowlcdjjc, 


346  NOVEMBER  29. 

Giving  thanks  to  the  leather,  who  hath  made  us  meet  to  he 
partakers  of  the  inheritance  of  the  saints  in  light. — 
Col.  i.  12. 

Too  many  of  God's  clear  children  seem  to  abound  more  in 
eomplaining  of  what  they  find  and  feel  hi  themselves  than  in  praising 
God  for  what  he  hath  done  for  and  in  tliem.  Why  is  this?  I'hey  do 
not  live  enough  in  their  ov/n  kingdom  ;  they  do  not  enough  consider 
their  own  privileges  ;  they  dwell  not  enough  upon  the  rich  love  of 
God  their  Father  to  them  ;  the  free-grace  of  Jesus  their  Redeemer 
FOR  them,  and  the  work  of  the  comforter  in  them.  But,  what  from 
a  sense  of  their  corruptions,  the  devices  of  satan,  the  sight  of  the 
spirituality  of  the  law,  the  legality  that  is  in  them,  they  cannot  think 
themselves  made  meet  for  God's  kingdom  ;  therefore  they  do  not 
praise  God  for  it.  S.iy,  O  ye  sons  and  daughters  of  the  Most 
High,  is  this  right  ?  Waat  I  because  you  find  sin  abound  in  you, 
will  you  not  give  praise  that  grace  doth  much  more  abound  tow  .ads 
you  and  in  you  also  ?  Consider,  God  the  Father  hath  Uiude  us 
"meet.  Who  ?  Us  vile  sinners.  How  ?  by  taking  away  the  being  of 
all  sin  in  us  ?  No,  no  more  than  by  taking  us  out  of  tiie  body.  If 
we  never  have  meetness  for  glory  till  all  sin  is  perfectly  destroyed  in 
us,  we  shall  never  begin  the  work  of  praise  till  we  get  to  glory.  But 
praise  is  a  present  v.'ork  for  what  God  hath  already  done  in  us. 
First,  "  God  hath  delivered  us  from  the  powe,r  of  darkness." 
The  prince  of  darkness  no  more  blinds  our  eyes  to  the  evil  of  sin, 
tlie  curse  of  the  law,  the  glory  of  God  shining  in  the  face  of  Jesus, 
and  the  preciousness  of  his  salvation.  For,  secondly,  "  God  hath 
translated  us  into  the  kingdom  of  his  dear  Son."  We  are  out  of 
the  kingdom  of  nature,  sin,  pride,  and  unbelief;  we  live  under  the 
spiritual  reign  of  Jesus.  Therefore,  thirdly,  we  possess  all  the 
graces  of  his  kingdoin  j  faith  in  the  kijig  of  saints,  love  to  the 
king  of  saints,-  and  "  love  to  all  the  saints  ;"  to  all  our  fellow-sinners 
who  confess  Jesus  the  Son  of  God,  and  salvation  by  him  only.  Is 
sia  our  burden  ?  Christ  our  glory  our  life  of  holiness  ?  Is  holiness 
the  desire  of  our  souls  ?  we  have  light,  life,  faith,  love,  holiness  ; 
then  God  hath  made  us  meet  for  the  enjoyment  of  his  glory.  Nay, 
Ave  do  enjoy  him  now.  We  have  fellowship  witli  the  Father  and 
his  SolV'Jesus  Christ,  therefore,  wc  are  now  to  give  him  thanks;  wc 
shall  never  have  any  other  meetness  for  heaven  on  earth,  though 
grcaterdcgreesof  the  comforts  of  this  may  he  experienced.  O  my 
soul,  art  thou  no  longer  in  the  darkncs5  of  sin?  r.atan's  slave  ?  under 
the  curse  of  the  law  ?  blinded  by  pride  to  the  charms  of  Jesus  ?  tied 
and  bound^by  the  chains  of  unbelief  ?  an  enemy  to  God's  grace,  his 
truth  and  his  people  ?  "  O  Lord,  thou  art  my  God,  I  will  exalt  thee, 
I  will  praise  thy  naiuc,  for  thou  hast  done  ^^■'ondcrful  things,"  kc. 

Is<V.  XXV.    I. 


NOVEMBER  30.  347 

I  had  fainted,  unless  I  had  believed  to  sec  the  goodness  of 
the  Lord  in  tite  land  of  the  living. — Psalm  xxvii.  13. 

Ix  times  of  sore  distress  and  afiliction,  vhclhcr  in  soul  or  body, 
saints  are  taught  many  sweet  lessons.  Chusienings  from  the  Loid 
are  idl  in  love  ;  by  them  our  God  teaches  llie  soul  to  profit.  "  No 
chastcnintj  for  the  present  is  joyous,  but  grievous.  In  the  daik 
night  of  suffering,  christians  sigh  out  niar»y  a  doleful  strain.  Some- 
times according  to  all  appearances  from  nature,  sense,  feeling,  and 
the  judgment  of  reason,  they  are  re.idy  to  cry  out,  ''AH  things  arc 
aj^;iiTist  me."  Hence  their  counigc  sinks>  their  hopes  and  their 
hearts  f.iil  them,  and  they  arc  ready  to  faint ;  but  they  have  un  invi- 
sit)Ie  fi'iend  always  near  them  ;  he  supports  them  l)y  his  power  under 
all  their  triuis  and  conflicts  ;  supplies  with  comforting  cordials  ;  re- 
vives their  spirits  with  the  consolations  of  his  word  ;  and  when  he 
brings  them  out  of  their  troubles,  then  liow  sweetly  do  they  sing  of 
himl  how  many  a  joyful  psalm!  What  a  rich  treasury  of  experience 
are  we  favored  with  from  the  pen  of  David,  dipt  in  the  ink  of  ulHic- 
lion  I  How  sweetly  does  he  indite  to  the  glory  of  his  God  and  tlie 
comfort  of  his  Father's  children  in  after-ages!  He  believed,  tlierc- 
fore  he  spake.     Unless  he  had  believed,  he  had  fainted. 

F.ith  will  support  when  all  things  else  fail.  O,  what  a  soul-sup- 
porting grace  is  faith  !  Why  so  ?  Because  it  looks  to,  depends  upoji, 
trusts  in  an  almighty,  faithful,  covenant-keeping  God.  Faith  con- 
sults not  flesh  and  blood,  but  the  word  of  grace  and  truth.  I3y  failh 
wc  endure  every  fight  of  aflliction,  every  onset  of  the  enemy,  see- 
ing him  who  is  invisilile.  As  faith  is  the  support  of  the  soul,  so  the 
object  offaitli.  Jesus;  he  is  both  faith's^ author  and  strength.  "Thy 
faith  sliall  not  fail,"  saith  Jesus  to  Peter  ;  ♦'!  have  prayed  for  thee." 
It  failed  not  as  an  abiding  principle  in  the  heart  unto  salvation,  though 
it  did  in  the  confessian  of  the  lips.  While  tie  precious  head  is  pray- 
ing above,  the  dear  members  shall  be  kept  in  fiulh  below.  Though 
poor  souls,  through  the  enemy's  power,  the  corruptions  and  rebel- 
lions of  the  flesh,  may  speak  unadvisedly  with  their  lips  as  David  did, 
(Psalm  cxvi.  10,  1  I .)  "I  was  greatly  afflicted,  I  said  in  my  haste, 
all  men  are  liar?."  But  in  their  right  mind  they  give  all  glory  to 
God,  confess  his  goodness,  and  take  shame  to  themselves  for  such 
base  declarations,  and  for  their  own  experience  give  sweet  advice 
to  their  brethren.  I  had  fainted  unless  I  had  believed.  Therefore 
do  thou  "Wait  on  the  Lord,  be  of  good  courage,  and  he  shall 
strengtiien  thine  heart ;  wait  I  say  on  the  Lord." 

Grcntr.oil,  thy  glories  sl.nll  emii!  jv  And  v.ilH1ii-t  ploriotis  Ixinl  ilcfcr.ml 

My  lioly  feflr,  my  humble  joy  ;  To  hu  my  Fiitlu-r  nnrl  my  frii-ml  ? 

My  U;)s  in  sonfjs  of  honor  ln-iiif;  Then  hit  mr  «om;;h  *i(h  an^rN  join, 

The  tribute  to  th'  ctcrual  Kinj.  Heav'u  is  slciit.-,  for  Cluiil i«  minr. 


54S  DECEMBER  1. 

Let  him  kiss  me  with  the  kisses  of  his  mouth',  for  thy  love 
is  better  than  wine. — Solomon's  Song  i.  2. 

Such  is  the  fumiliar,  loving  language  of  chaste  virgins  espoused 
to  Jesus.  Love  in  the  heart  begets  desires  after  tokens  of  affection 
from  the  object  beloved.  ''Saw  ye  him  whom  my  soul  loveth?"  asks 
the  enquiring  heart  "  If  ye  have  t^>ken  uway  him,"  says  sorrowful 
Mary.  "  Tluit  I  may  know  him,"  says  affectionate  Paul.  ''  Let 
HIM  kiss  me,"  s./lth  the  church;  as  though  all  the  world  knew  vv'hom 
is  meant  or  w'no  is  their  beloved.  Evtry  heart  that  is  blessed  with 
the  discovery  of  Jesus,  will  be  excited  with  such  desires  after  him. 
Here  is  a  very  short  and  abi  upt  request ;  *•  Let  him  kniss  me,"  that 
will  make  me  quite  h^sppy.  My  heart  is  sin. pie,  I  have  but  one  ob- 
ject in  view.  O,  if  J(.  sus  will  but  favor  me  with  a  love-token  all  my 
fears  vanish,  my  scruples  are  at  an  end,  my  doubts  are  all  silenced  ; 
peace,  happiness,  and  joy  shall  possess  my  mind.  So  the  love- 
allured  heart  reasons  and  prays.  But  somcliuies  delays  excite  impa- 
tience, and  promote  jealousies,  which  issue  in  mourning  surmises. 
"  Hope  deferred,  miikes  the  heart  sick."  "  I  fear  Jesus  doth  not  love 
me,  or  sure  he  would  bear,  and  not  delay  affording  me  sweet  evi- 
dences and  pledges  of  love."  But  so  Jesus  proves  the  soul's  faith 
and  stedfastness  to  him  ;  so  he  draws  out  its  in;portunity  after  him. 
"Whom  having  not  seen,  we  love;  and  though  row  we  see  him 
not,  yet  believing,  we  rejoice  with  joy  un&pca\sable,  and  lull  of 
glory,   1  Pet.  i.  8. 

Such  is  the  language  of  faith.  Where  revealed  love  is  received 
in  the  heart,  sensible  tokens  will  be  longed  after  and  sh-.Jl  be  enjoyed ; 
nor  can  the  believing  heart  rest  satisfied,  nor  be  trOly  h..ppy  without 
them  ;  its  cry  is  none  but  Christ,  none  but  Christ  1  What  are  the 
smiles  of  the  worlcl  if  Jesus  frowns  ?  What  is  life  itself  without  his 
presence  and  favor?  Ilis  presence  create^  a  p;;radisc;  nearness  to  him 
is  heaven  c;v  earth  ;  his  cross  is  pur  glory  ;  his  kisses  our  comiort 
♦'  For  ihy  love  is  better  than  wine."  I  have  tasted  both  ;  I  have  felt 
the  sweet  effect  of  each.  Experience  has  taught  me,  that  as  wine 
revives  and  cheers  the  heart,  so  doth  love ;  I  cannot  live  without  lov,e ; 
1  cannot  be  happy  without  a  sense  of  it.  I  camiot  be  holy,  I  caimot 
Fcrvc  cheerfully,  or  obey  perfectly,  nor  conqvter  sin  powerfully,  but 
whil&^Iove,  thy  love,  O  m.y  beloved  Jesus,  inspires,  enlivens,  and 
inllucnces  my  heavy,  sluggish  heart.  Such  senlimenls  possess  lov- 
ing, longing  souls.  (J,  this  love  is' a  precious  piant !  It  spiings 
not  in  nature's  garden  !  its  originalj?  divine  ;  it  comes  from  God. 
«  For  God  is  low''  1  John  iv.  8.  ,  Those  ^vho  have  obeyed  the  Fa- 
ther's voke,  "kiss  my  Son,"  Psai^ji  ii.  12 — "  Know  thai  the  love  of 
Christ  passcth  knowledge,"  Eph. 


Jm  a.  1 2 — "  . 
iPl'^. 


DECEMBER  2.  349 

/  have  loved  thee  with  an  everlasting  love :  therefore  with 
lovijig  kindness  have  I  drawn  thee. — Jcr.  xxxi.  3. 

Thus  tlic   Lord  speaks  to  I. is  cliurch  as  lo  a  coliecRd  body; 
tlicrefore  yc  members  of  Jtsus,  uhi.t  i'oundaiion  of  coiufort,  y,\\jX 
cause  of  rejoicing  liavc  you  daily  ?  Bui  what  doubts  luid  scruples  do 
often  arise  in  your  poor  hearts  coucciiiint;  Gotl's  lovelo  you  1  Why 
is  this  ?  Because  we  judge  of  and  delcrminc  tlic  bounds  of  the  lovo 
of  our  God,  from  the  sense  and  feeling  uc  fuid  \u  ourbclves,  uistcad 
of  abiding  by  the  Lord's  own  gracious  dcclarulioi.s  in  his  word  lo  us. 
How  absurd  would  it  be  for  us  to  judge  of  the  dimensions  of  that 
glorious  luminary  the  sun,  by  the  ruilc  light  jnd  heat  which  we  par- 
take of!  Shall  we  conclude  from  the  severe  told  we  feel  in  wiiiler's 
frost ;  or,  iii  the  sense  of  midnight  darkness,  that  light  and  licat 
cease  to  exist  in  the  sun?  Alas  I  we  may  as  well  »' measure  the 
waters  in  the  hollow  of  our  hand,  mete  out  iJ)e  heaven  with  our  span, 
weigh  the  mountains  in  scales,  and  the  hills  in  a  bal:.nre,"  as  truly  ils 
to  estimate  and  judge  of  the  infinite,  boundless  love  of  God  to  poor 
sinners  in  Christ  Jesus,  from  our  perception  and  sense  of  it.     Dost 
ihou,  O  soul,  experience  the  dniwlng  of  thy  heart  to  Jesus  for  right- 
eousness, atonement,  life,  and  salvation  ?  This  is  not  of  the  will  of   \ 
the  flesh,  but  of  the  power  of  God,  the  effects  of  his  loving  kindness      ; 
to  thee.     For,  saith  Jesus,  "no  man  can  come  unto  mc,  except  the 
Father  draw  him,"  John  vi.  44.  As  the  rays  of  light  lead  to  the  source 
from  whence  they  flow,  so  this  stream  of  love,  in  lime,  instructs  our 
souls  in  the  most  comfortable  truth  of  God's  everlasting  love.   Think 
not,  because  I  experience  repentance  towards  God,  faiih  in  our  Loid 
Jesus  Christ,  am  obedient  to  the  gospel  of  holiness,  therefore,  fur 
these  graces,  now  the  Lord  begins  to  lovC  me.     O  no  I  for  his  love 
is  of  an  earlier  date  :  this  is  reversing  God's  method  ;  and  in  times 
of  darkness  and  desertion,  and  under  sutau's  buffetings,  when  ihcu 
hast  no  light  to  see  thy  graces,  nor  feeling  sense  of  comfort  in  the 
exercise  of  them,  this  method  of  judging  of  God's  love  will  be  most 
distressing  to  thy  poor  soul.     O,  nu.y  the  Spirit  of  truth  l.elp  us  lo 
judge  of  God's  love  accorduig  to  his  own  word  of  grace.     «'  I  have 
loved  thee  with  an  everlasting  love  ;  and  therefore  (for  this  cause) 
with  loving  kindness  have  I  drawn  thee"  from  d^trkness  to  light,  fron\ 
the  kingdom  of  satan  into  the  kingdom  of  my  dear  Son  ;  glory  slr.dl 
crown  what  grace  begun.     What  motive  so  powerful,  what  doctrine 
so  influential  to  animate  and  enliven  the  soul  with  fervent  love  aiid 
cheerful  obedience  as  the  daily  rtflcciion  and  constant  belitf  of  tic 
everlastinjj,  unchangeable  love  of  God  lo  us  in  Christ  Jesus  ?  "  Not 
any  thing  siiall  be  able  to  separate  us  from  the  love  Ciod,  which  is  in 
Christ  Jesus  our  Lord,"  Rom.  viii.  C^- 
Vol.  L  U  u 


250  DECEMBER  3» 

^s  nexv-horn  hahes  desire  the  sincere  milk  of  the  word  that 
ye  may  grow  thereby. — 1  Pet.  ii.  2. 

"  What  I  cannot  comprehend  shall  never  be  the  object  of  mr 
fait)'.,"  is  the  weak  kuiguage  of  a  proud  sceptic.  «  Where  I  cannot 
compi(;iiPnd,  I  silently  adore  ;  what  I  cannot  explain,  yet  I  humbly 
believe,  because  divine  truths  bear  the  impress,  "  The  Lord  hath 
spoKcn,"  This  is  the  language  of  an  humble,  gracious  heart.  "  Mar- 
v'.'IIgus  i.re  thy  works,  O  Lord,  in  wisdom  hast  thou  made  them  all." 
Glorious  is  thy  grace  in  Christ  Jesus  ;  in  love  hast  thou  revealed  it 
to  the  children  of  men.  Here  is  the  wisdom  of  saints,  to  Icpa-n  from 
the  in);^ges  of  nature  the  mysteries  of  grace.  From  the  book  of  the 
foi'nier  we  are  t&ught  sweet  and  precious  instructions  in  the  latter. 
How  kindly  has  the  God  of  nature  provided  for  the  infant  cry  of  the 
new-born  b;ibe  I  It  soon  discovers  its  wants  ;  and  though  as  sensible 
of  the  provision  it  has  brought,  and  its  right  unto  it,  it  scarce 
breathes  the  air,  but  it  hunts  for  the  breast  of  its  parent,  and  its 
tender  cppetite  is  drawn  out  after  the  milk.  No  less  pleased  and 
delighted  is  the  affectionate  mother  to  administer  to  its  wants  and 
relieve  its  sorrows,  and  nourish  and  strengthen  her  new-born  infant. 
Dwells-th  such  love  in  parents  to  their  offspring  ?  Infinitely  greater 
is  the  love  of  God  to  his  babes  in  Christ.  Dweileth  such  a  disposi- 
tion in  the  babe  of  nature  after  milk  ?  So  also  is  this  exemplified  in 
every  child  of  grace  in  his  loye  to  and  huntbg  after  the  milk  of  God's 
word.  Hath  the  God  of  nature  made  such  suitable  provision  for  the 
children  of  this  world  ?  Glory  to  his  grace,  so  hath  he  richly  provid- 
ed spiritual  milk  for  the  children  of  his  kingdom.  Desire  it,  saith  he, 
and  grow  thereby  ;  feed  on  it  and  be  strengthened  :  but  the  Spirit  of 
wisdom  hatli  given  us  a  caution  to  try  the  milk,  to  see  that  it  be  sin- 
cere milk  ;  not  any  milk,  but  the  pure  and  unmixed  milk  of  God's 
word  and  truth  ;  Jesus  is  the  very  essence  and  substance  of  it.  If  the 
nourishing  doctrines  of  God's  everlasting  love  and  election  in  Christ, 
pardon  by  his  blood,  clothing  by  his  righte-ousness,  and  final  salvation 
of  all  his  dear  people  through  him,  ar?  omitted  by  ministers,  they 
administer  skimmed  milk,  which  has  lost  its  strengthening  and  nour- 
ishing qualities  :  hence,  it  will  not  edify  and  cause  the  soul  to  "grow 
strong  in  the  grace  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus."  Wlien  from  the  word 
of  God  its  rich  qualities  are  extracted,  carnal  reason  is  set  up,  human 
pride  is  established,  creature  righteousness  is  exalted:  hence,  instead 
of"  growing  up  unto  Christ  in  all  things,"  professors  grow  into  self- 
complacency  and  vain  confidences.  O,  love  the  revealed  word  above 
human  teaching ;  prize  and  attend  upon  the  faithful  ministers  of 
Jesus,  that  thou  mayest  be  "nourished  up  in  the  words  of  faith  and 
of  good  doctrine,"  1  T^im.  4.6. 


DECEMBER  4.  351 

fVho  delivered  us  from  so  great  a  death,  and  doth  deliver: 
in  whom  vje  trust,  tliat  he  will  yet  d./iver  us.-z  Cor.  i.  lO. 
DiviKE  confidence  is    fouiulcd  upon  Cifd's  revealed  truth  ;  it 
arises  in  the  heart  in  projiortion  to  tlic  discoNcry  which  is  nvadc  of 
free-grace  promises  to  sinners  in  Christ  Jtsub.     Taih  lc«ikb  \.\  no- 
thing in  nature,  nor  in  the  creature  ;  it  st-.nds  not  upon  any  r.uu.an 
probability  or  rational  possibility  ;  but,  as   the  queen  of  gv.cci.  laith 
looks  wliolly  to  the  king  of  glory,  consults  the  word  of  his  viuUi,  re- 
lics on  his  promises  and  oa'h,  ^nd  trusts  in  the  power  of  an  oiumi^o  ci>t 
Lord.     Past  experience  of  former  deliverances  swceUy  encouic^^e 
the  soul  to  trust  God  for  future.     So  the  apoMlcs  reasoned  upon 
temporal  deliverances  from  the  persecuting  powers  of  earth  .aid  hell. 
which  wei>e  engaged  against  them.     All  hope  und  help  from  the  riv;nt 
hand  atul  left  *cre  cut  off.      In  themselves  they  hud  the  sai'.ei  oe  of 
deatli.  They  were  like  malefactors  in  their  own  ^;prehcnsi(-u,  uoonv- 
ed  to  certain  execution.     But  God  hud  delivered  them  in  time  p..t  1 
He  did  deliver  them  at  the  present ;  hence,  their  trust  was  cxciitcl 
for  future  deliverance.     Just  so  they  taught  and  glo.  leu  u.  a  sai vatiou 
equally  as  extensive,  through  all  the  periods  of  time  past,  present, 
and  to  come  ;  which  should  certainly  issue  in  evcriasung  glory.      ^ 

O  believer,  here  is  a  mode  of  reasoning  for  thy  soul.     Exercise  ^^ 
thy  faith  on  things  past,  present,  and  to  come.     Call  to  mind  liOW 
God  in  time  past  delivered  thy  soul  from  thy  great  death  n.  tres- 
passes  and  sins.    In  how  many  dangers  has  he  kept  Uiee  f  1-  rem  t.ovr 
many  snai>cs  has  he  delivered  thee  ?  And  are  thou  this  present  hour 
a  saved  sinner,  living  by  faith  on  the  Son  of  God  ?  O,  see  t,iy  Lo.d  s 
past  mercies!  O,  consider  thy  Lord's  present  blcssin^js  i    lhu,.ce 
honor  him  with  the  faith  of  thy  heart,  the  trust  of  thy  soul,  tl.a  he 
will  yet  deliver  thee  from  every  enemy.     Art  thou  harassed  by  tcini.- 
tations?  Remember,  "thy  Lord  knowcth  how  and  when  to  cULver 
out  of  them  1"  2  Peter  ii.  9.     Art  thou  groaning  under  a  body  ol  sm 
and  death  ?  Crying  out,  O,  wretched  that  I  am  I  Consider  the  e^cr- 
lasting  love  and  almighty  power  of  thy  precious  deliverer  ;  cxuit  ar.d 
triumph  with, -thanks  be  to  God  who  giveth  the  victory  tlnough 
Jesus  Christ."    Thus  daily  study,  O  soul,  to  live  in  art  habitu.l  vuw 
of  thy  God  and  Saviour;  pray  and  wrestle  for  constant  applications 
of  Jesus'  grace,  daily  feelings  of  his  love  by  the  Spirit;  so  shall  e.vcry 
lustofthy  nature  be  subdued,  satan  shall  fly  from  Uie  res.sl.ngs  of 
faith,  victory  shall  be  obtained  over  the  world,  holiness  will  be  delight-  . 
fultothy  heart,  and  heaven  desirable  and  longed  for  by  the  noul. 
Ever  remember  »  it  is  God  who  workeUi  in  us  to  will  and  tO:ilo  of 
his  good  pleasure,  as  the  only  enlivening  confidence  to  encourage 
thee  to  work  out  thy  salvation  ^vith    fear  and    trcmbhr^-,      I  lul. 
ii.  12,  13. 


352  DECEMBER  5. 

Sanctify  them  through  thy  truth  :  thy  word  is  truth. 

John  xvii.  17. 

With  what  confidence  and  joy  are  we  assured  of  oui'  sanctifi- 
cation,  both  from  the  prayer  of  Jesus  on  earth,  and  his  intercession 
in  glory  !  Man  cannot  sanctify  himselt,  it  is  the  work  of  the  Lord 
the  Spirit ;  he  effects  it  by  his  sovereign  power  ;  earth  and  hell  shall 
not  prevent  it.  O  special  mercy  !  Not  to  be  left  to  act  with  the 
generality  of  professors,  who,  like  Pilate,  demand  "  What  is  truth  ?" 
and  then  turn  away  from  it  as  offensive,  and  hate  and  oppose  it. 
Yet,  if  there  is  but  kept  up  a  great  cry,  and  vehement  zeal  for  good 
works  and  holiness,  it  is  enough  ;  no  matter  what  principles  they 
spring  from.  Nay,  under  pretence  for  these,  truth  is  trampled 
under  foot.  But  not  so  .Tesus  prayed,  nor  taught ;  nor  are  his  mem- 
bers thus  sanctified.  Jesus  is  essentially  the  truth.  We  are  sanc- 
tified to  God  no  other  way  than  in  him,  and  by  the  faith  of  him. 
"  Wc  are  chosen  from  the  beginning  through  sanctification  of  the 
Spirit,  and  belief  of  the  truth."  "  Ye  shall  know  the  truth,  and 
the  truth  shall  make  you  free,"  John  viii.  32— saith  Jesus ;  free 
from  the  deceitful  hopes  and  vain  confidences  that  are  natural  to  us. 
Souls  sanctified  tiirough  the  truth,  are  no  longer  left  to  deny  the 
foundation  truths  of  God's  word  ;  his  sovereign,  everlasting,  electing 
love  of  sinners  in  Christ  Jesus  this  essential  truth,  of  their  sins 
being  atoned  by  the  precious  blood,  and  their  persons  justified  by 
the  perfect  righteousness  of  Jesus  imputed  to  them ;  the  certain 
perseverance  and  sure  glorification  of  evrry  bcUeving  member  of 
Christ.  Thus  our  judgments  are  sanctified  in  truth,  in  opposition 
to  the  false  notions  of  self-righteousness  and  sinless  perfection. 
These  proceed  from  self-ignorance,  blindness  to  God's  law,  and 
leave  its  professors  under  a  fatal  error  ;  nor'  are  we  left  to  dream  of 
universal  redemption  which  detracts  from  the  glory  of  God  by 
ascriliing  salvation  to  free-will  ;  nor  to  reject  the  sovereign  agency 
of  tl-ie  holy  Spirit,  which  reduces  the  gospel  of  grace  to  a  covenant 
of  works.  Glory  to  our  Lord,  not  only  are  we  sanctified  as  to  a 
right  judgment  in  all  things,  but  our  affections  are  also  sanctified  to 
love  the  truth  and  cleave  to  it,  seeing  all  our  hopes  center  in  it,  and 
deriving  all  our  coTTiforts  from  it ;  and  it  is  the  delight  and  joy  of 
ou«r  souls  to  live  in  conformity  to  the  truth.  Jesus  hath  our  hearts. 
Fellowship  with  him  is  our  heaven  upon  earth.  What  is  contrary 
to  that  is  hateful  to  us.  Sin  is  become  the  burden,  and  holiness 
most  pleasant  to  the  sanctified  soul-  To  fancy  thyself  perfectly 
freed  from  all  sin,  is  a  mark,  not  of  a  soul  sanctified  through  the 
truth,  but  deceived  by  lies:  bvU  daily  to  feel  a  holy  striving  ag-ainst  sin, 
fervcn{  desires  after  greater  conformity  to  Jesus,  and  abiding  in  the 
truth  of  his  word,  is  a  full  proof  "  of  thc.sanctification  of  his  Spirit 
nnt.0  obedience,"  1  Pet.  i.  2. 


DECEMBER  6.  5J3 

By  the  grace  of  God,  I  am  what  I  am. — 1  Cor.  xv.  10. 

It  woutd  be  one  great  means  of  prcvcniiiig  conipliiints  ;inH 
murmurings,  if  cliribliaiis*  hearts  were  more  in  mtditatioh  upon  what 
they  once  were,  still  ard,  ai\d  wh*i  they  deserve.  Such  was  the 
conduct  of  the  once  Jesus-pcrsecuiing,  but  aticrwards  Jcsus-exalt- 
ing  Paul.  The  same  ^r«ice  thai  reached  iiis  heart,  lias  continued 
to  run  through  the  many  revolving  periods  down  to  this  day,  and 
effects  the  same  blessed  work  on  poor  sinners  now.  Thou  therefore, 
()  disciple  of  Jesus,  hast  the  same  cause  as  Paul  had,  daily  to  sing 
of.  rich,  free,  sovereign,  distinguishing  grace  ;  the  eternal  love, 
free  favor,  and  unmerited  good-will  of  God  to  thy  soul  in  Christ 
Jesus. 

Grace  shines  with  resplendent  lustre,  in  the  person  of  Jesus. 
Grace  operates  with  sovereign,  irresistible  power,  in  the  hearts  of 
his  members.  Hence  it  triumphs  over  all  the  resisting  powers, 
rebellious  motives,  carnal  workings,  and  prcverse  obstinacy  of  prbud 
nature.  Publicans  iuid  harlots  are  often  raised  and  bcauuiicd  by 
grace,  while  self-iighteous  Pharisees  are  left  buiicd  in  the  luuis  of 
nature.  Hell-deserving  soul  I  What  hast  thou  to  boast  of  ?  Wherein 
canst  thou  glory  ?  Art  thou  converted  to  Jesus  ?  Verily  ol  iliis  thou 
hast  greatest  cause  of  glory  and  triumph.  But  ever  know  the  cause. 
Study  daily  to  give  all  the  glory  where  it  is  only  due,  even  to  the 
free  favor  of  thy  God.  Wilt  thou  ever  open  the  mouth  of  thy 
obedience,  thy  fulfilling  terms  and  conditions,  by  which  thou  hast 
obtained  the  prize  ?  Ever  know  Jesus  hatli  dune  all  this.  Hence 
grace  freely  flowed  to  thee.  In  the  height  of  thy  rebellion,  in  the 
depth  of  thy  destruction,  tlie  voice  of  eternal  love  spoke  to  thy  soul. 
The  power  of  almighty  grace  challenged  thee,  as  its  blood-liuught 
purchase  ;  seized  thcc  as  its  lawful  captive,  and  snatched  thee  as  a 
brand  from  the  fire  of  destruction. 

O  wondrous  love  !  Should  not  amazement  strike  thy  heart,  and  the 
fire  of  love  and  gratitude  ever  burn  in  thy  soul  ?  What  shall  wc  say 
to  these  things  ?  Truly  grace,  that  dwelt  in  the  heart  of  God  from 
eternity,  has  sovereignly  reached  thy  heart  in  time.  Therefore  art 
thou  turned  to  Jesus  by  repentajice  ;  hast  remission  of  sins  tJuough 
faith  in  his  blood.  This  is  given,  by  the  exalted  prince  of  grace 
and  peace,  to  thine  heart.  Hast  thou  a  love  to  holiness,  and  a 
hatred  to  sin  ?  This  is  contrary  to  nature,  and  is  gi\xn  through  tlic 
grace  of  the  Spirit.  "  By  the  grace  of  God  I  am  what  I  urn,"  is  the 
confession  of  saints  in  earth.  By  the  grace  of  (iod  I  am  where  I  am, 
is  the  triumphant  song  of  saints  in  heaven.  For  "  w  hi  re  sin  abourdcd, 
grace  did  much  more  abound,"  Roni.  v.  -0. 

'Tis  not  by  um-ks  of  iip;litcoiigncs8,  'Tis  from  mew  mnvc)  r.f  our  (....I 
Wliich  our  own  linnils  have  «lone  :  Tli't  n"  ">"•  l'"I»«.»  '»K:  »  : 

But  we  arc  sav'd  by  sov'ieign  grace,  'Tis  by  lb«'  »»(•  r  and  liic  bhKxl 
Abounding  tltro'  God's  Sou.  Our  souls  arc  MysliM  tio;u  »iii. 


554  DECEMBER  7. 

Master,  we  have  toiled  oil  the  tiig/it,  and  have  taken  no- 
thing :  nevertheless^  at  thy  word  I  will  let  down  the  net. 
—Luke.  V.  5. 

Whatever  one  engages  in,  success  gives  pleasure,  but  disap- 
pointment causes  dejection.  The  passing  over  of  a  bluck  cloud  is 
often  followed  by  the  brighter  shining  of  the  sun.  Naturalists 
observe,  it  is  always  darkest  just  before  the  break  of  day.  So  here 
these  poor  fishermen  had  toiled  through  a  tedious  night  of  disap- 
pointment ;  not  one  fish  came  to  net :  yet,  at  Christ's  word  they  let 
down  the  net.  Behold  the  event !  The  greatest  success  they  ever 
met  with  succeeded  their  fruitless  toil :  their  nets  were  too  weak  to 
hold  the  miraculous  draught  of  fishes  they  had  taken.  O,  how  adora- 
ble is  Jesus'  power  and  godhead  ! 

The  occupation  of  a  fisherman  is  not  unlike  that  of  the  christian's 
Tocation.  It  is  his  employ  to  fish  in  the  wide  and  deep  ocean  of 
God's  eternal  love  and  grace  revealed  in  his  word  of  truth.  What 
he  taketh  here  he  is  to  live  upon  day  by  day.  It  is  sometimes  his 
lot  to  toil  through  a  dark  night  of  disappointment,  and  take  nothing 
which  may  refresh  his  spirit  and  rejoice  his  soul.  Here  "  patience 
must  have  its  perfect  work."  Not  one,  nor  many  nights  bad  suc- 
cess, makes  the  fisherman  quit  his  trade  and  forsake  his  calling. 
So  the  christi:-.n  should  consider  he  has  need  of  patience,  that  after 
he  has  done  the  will  of  God  he  might  receive  the  fulfilment  of  the 
promises.  These  are  blessed  encouragements  for  him  ever  to  fish 
in  the  great  and  wide  sea  of  God's  covenant  love  and  faithfulness. 
In  his  word  are  blessings  innumerable.  Ever  remember,  "  He  that 
believcth  shall  not  make  haste  :"  that  is,  be  in  a  hurry  and  confusion, 
as  one  in  surprise  and  fear  in  time  of  trouble.  Though  God's 
mercies  arc  not  styled  swift,  yet  they  are' called  "  sure  mercies," 
Isa.  Iv.  3.  Where  the  grace  of  faith  is  in  the  front,  perseverance 
shall  be  in  the  centre,  and  glory  shall  be  in  the  rear.  The  soul 
tliirsling  after  comfort,  shall  in  God's  time  he  refreshed  with  the 
plentiful  showers  of  heavenly  consolation.  Some  souls  have  been  so 
filled  herewith,  even  like  these  disciples'  nets  that  broke  with  the 
great  draught  of  fishes,  that  they  have  cried  out,  "  Lord,  stay 
thine  hand  ;  my  brittle  vessel  can  hold  no  more.  Live  upon  the 
wtvM  of  God's  truth,  and  thou  shalt  be  sure  to  enjoy  the  coiuforts 
of  God's  faithfulness.  Whatever  fails,  his  word  is  sure  ;  his  pro- 
mises certain  ;  his  covenant  immutable;  his  oath  irreversible.  Con- 
solation, yea  «  strong  consolation  from  God,  awaits  every  soul  who 
has  fled  to  Jesus  for  refuge,  to  lay  hold  on  the  hope  set  before  him," 
Hcb.  vi.  1 8, 

Oar  anchor's  cast  w  it.Kin  the  veil  We  walk  by  falih  and  live  hy  liopn  ; 

'^Vkere  Jesus  ever  velgns ;  Assur'U  of  eudlcss  gains.  M. 


t,^  DECEMBER  8.  355 

T/wu!r/i  he  fall  he  shall  not  be  uttcrhj  cast  down  ;  for  the 
Lord  upholdcth  him  xvith  his  hand. — i*balni  xxxvii.  1\. 

The  absolute  declarations  luul  promises  of  scripture  ui-c  ever  to 
be  consicUied  as  having  relation  to,  and  dcpendaiicc  upon  the  cove- 
nant of  t^racc.  Hence,  wliatcver  is  asbcrlcd  coiiccii-.inij  ilic  salva- 
tion of  lost  sinners,  is  an  exiubition  or  display  of  the  j,MacL-  of  Uic 
covenant  by  Jesus  Christ.  When  men  sec  not  tlie  nature  of  tl»e 
covenant,  ordered  in  all  things  and  sure,  they  make  the  piomiscs  li" 
the  gospel  as  it  were  a  mere  lope  of  sand.  Not  seeing  salvation, 
established  upon  the  sure  foundation  of  God's  immut;ible  love  ajKl 
faithfulness,  they  make  it  depend  on  human  wisdom,  power,  and 
goodness.  Poor  comfort  for  sensible  souls.  Tiioui^h  pride  for  a 
lime  may  keep  up  the  vain  hopes  of  the  self-righteous  and  scif-deliul- 
cd — How  long  ?  Till  they  arc  tried  by  fire. 

The  just  man's  standing  is  of  Gods  power.  His  falls  are  fi  om  liis 
own  frailty.  That  he  is  raised  from  his  falls,  is  from  the  sovereign 
love  and  covenant  faithfulness  of  his  God.  But,  is  not  God  able  lo 
keep  us  from  falling?  Doubtless  his  power  is  almiglity.  He  can  take 
away  all  sin  and  corruption  out  of  us  :  and  not  suffer  tcrnptatioii  from 
satan,  the  world  and  the  flesh,  ever  to  attack  us.  Yea,  he  can  in- 
stantly change  us  into  angelic  purity.  But  this  is  not  his  will.  The 
Lord  sees  it  most  for  his  glory  that  we  should  be  just  what  wc  are — 
believe  his  truths — live  upon  his  promises — rely  on  his  power  from 
day  to  day,  or  it  should  be  oUierwise.  All  things  are  in  being  for  the 
elect's  sake.  All  things  "work  together  for  their  good,"  Rom. 
viii.  28.  Satan  may  tempt  souls  as  he  did  Christ,  to  cast  themselves 
down  to  prove  the  power  of  God.  Carnal  hearts  may  say,  "let  us 
<lo  evil,  that  good  may  come."  Each  shew  what  spirit  they  are  of. 
Saints  express  the  inward  disposition  of  their  souls  liy  other  language. 
Gracious  works  proceed  from  gracious  hearts  which  arc  influenced 
by  divine  truth  and  everlasting  love.  Saints'  falls  are  suffered,  to 
humble  them  for  sin,  wCcin  them  from  their  pride,  self-righteous- 
ness, and  self-suflTiciency  ;  to  deaden  them  to  the  love  of  the  workl, 
and  to  endear  Jesus  more  and  more  to  them  ;  to  teach  them  llic 
usefulness  of  ordinances;  to  exercise  their  graces;  to  pxirgc  out  their 
dross  ;  to  enable  them  to  succour  others  with  the  assurance  of  com- 
fort and  protection,  which  they  themselves  have  found  from'  our 
Saviour.  So  he  delays  the  wisdom,  power  and  faithfulness  of  a 
covenant-God.  Thus  he  makes  souls  meet  for  glory,  and  causes  thcnx 
to  long  more  for  the  heavenly  inheritance.  Saints  may  fall,  and  do 
fall  into  many  things  that  hurt  and  bruise  them.  This  is  their 
shame;  it  causeth  sorrow  and  grief;  and  excites  watrhfulness. 
But  fall  into  hell  they  cannot,  they  shall  not,  because  they  arc  up- 
held  ijy  the  arm  of  omnipotence  ;  and  Jesus  dccl^s,  "  I  give  uut» 
them  eternal  life,"  John  x.  38. 


356  DECEMBER  9. 

If  he  he  the  king  of  Israel,  let  him  now  come  down  from 
thecrosSi  and  we  will  drlieve  hi?n.^Matt.  xxvii.  42. 

Our  blessed  Lord  was  not  only  crucified  between  two  thieves, 
but  was  also  surrounded  on  the  cross,  and  mocked  and  derided  by 
the  very  worst  sort  of  thieves,  the  chief  priests,  scribes,  and  elders. 
These  professing  ministers  of  Jehovah  did  their  utmost  to  rob  the 
prince  of  life  and  Lord  of  glory  of  that  honor  which  is  ever  due  unto 
him,  of  being  our  Saviour  ;  and,  like  thieves  and  robbers,  they 
would  enter  his  kingdom  some  other  way.  Verily  he  is  the  king  of 
all  his  spiritual  Israel.  Every  subject  of  his  love  will  bow  to  the 
sovereignty  of  his  grace,  kiss  the  sceptre  of  his  love,  glory  only  ill 
his  despised  cross,  and  rejoice  that  Jesus  rules  in  and  reigns  over 
him.  Most  true,  this  way  of  salvation  is  contrary  to  the  wisdom  of 
the  flesh,  the  reasonings  of  corrupt  nature,  and  the  pride  of  boasted 
free-will.  These,  by  how  much  the  more  they  are  assisted  by  hu- 
man learning,  are  so  rnuch  the  more  strengthened  and  fortified 
against  this  self-denying  truth,  salvation  by  free -grace,  through  the 
cross  of  a  despised  Jesus.  "  This  wisdom  and  their  knowledge  had 
perverted  tliem,"  says  Isaiah,  xlvii.  10,  or  they  would  not  have  said, 
"  Let  him  now  come,  and  wc  will  believe."  Poor  proud  creatures ! 
free-will  is  ever  the  same.  Where  it  reigns  it  always  exalts  the 
creature  and  opposes  the  sovereignty  of  God.  It  prescribes  methods 
of  conviction.  It  i-efuses  to  submit  to  those  of  infinite  wisdom. 
Through  a  life  of  thirty  years  Jesus  had  afiorded  them  the  fullest 
conviction  of  their  senses,  and  they  believed  not  on  him  ;  neither 
■would  their  hearts  have  been  persuaded  though  he  had  come  down 
from  the  cross  ;  yea,  though  he  actualiy  did  rise  again  from  the  dead, 
still  they  resisted  the  fullest  evidence  j  therefore  they  reniained  in- 
excusable. 

Outward  miracles  and  wonders  may  surprize  the  senses,  but  can- 
not work  savmg  faith  in  the  heart.  Pride  ever  reigns  in  unregene- 
rate  hearts,  and  nothing  but  sovereign  grace  can  subciue  it.  Even  in 
hell  the  notion  of  free-will  prevails.  "  Nay,  but"  said  Dives,  «if  one 
went  to  them  from  the  dead,  they  will  rtpent,"  Luke  xvi.  30. 
Humble  souls  are  thankful  for  the  gift  of  precious  faith  in  a  precious 
Christ.  They  know  it  is  not  of  themselves  that  they  believe.  There- 
fore they  adore  and  love  "  the  author  and  finisher  of  faith,"  and 
own  it  is  given  of  distinguishing  love  and  sovereign  grace.  Thus  all 
glorying  in  the  flesh  is  cut  ofl".  By  faith  we  gloiy  in  the  truth  and 
rejoice  in  Jesus  only.     «  It  is  not  of  him  who  willcth,"  Rom.  ix.  16. 

Snlnliic  the  pride  of  my  free  ■will,  AVliile  otiiers  tempt,  aud  ask  a  sign, 

By  tky  free  grace,  my  Lord  ;  In  order  to  believe  ; 

Strengtlicu  my  f:utli,  confirm  Jny  hope,  May  I  rejoice  to  kubw  tliy  truth, 

In  tliiiic  unerring  word.  Aud  on  t]»y  trulk  to  lire.                M- 


DECEMBER  10.  357 

To  them  that  are  sanctified  by  God  the  Father,  and  pre- 
served, in  Jesus  Christ,  and  culled:  mercy  unto  you ^  and 
peace,  and  love  be  multiplied — Juck-,  vcr.  1,  !2. 

One  frequently  meets  with  poor  trembling  bouh,  just  enlighten* 
cd  by  the  Spirit  to  sec  their  misery,  feel  tiicir  wrcichkchicss  as  siiiners, 
r.ncl  who  flee  to  Christ  for  hope  ;  yet  their  poor  hei^ris  arc  j^reatly 
distressed  with  fcur,  lest  ihcy  should  not  be  sjiiclified,  but  perish 
in  their  sins,  and  so  never  obtain  tJic  ciul  oftiicir  faith,  tl»c  salvulicn 
of  their  souls.  But  that  is  impossible,  'ihcycio  not  at  present  see 
the  cijlorious  order  of  the  covenant ;  nor  consider  tlie  ccrtiiin  stcuiily 
of  all  who  are  effectually  called  by  the  word  and  Spirit  to  ll.e  know- 
ledge of  Christ.  For  this  is  a  consequence  of  their  being;  sartclificd, 
separated  or  set  apart  by  God  the  Father,  as  the  objects  of  his 
everlasting  love.  As  God  loves  them  as  his  jewels,  he  ib  cartful  to 
preserve  them.  He  well  knew  and  clccirly  foresaw  the  miserable 
effects  sin  would  brmj  on  them,  therefore  he  chose  them  in  Christ 
Jesus.  He  committed  them  into  his  luuids.  They  are  preserved 
safe  and  secure;  not  from  fulling  into  sii; ;  for  they  arc  in  themselves 
sinners ;  by  nature  "  chiUlren  of  wi'ath  even  as  others."  And  to  their 
after  thame  and  sorrow,  many  of  them  run  dreadful  lengths  iji  sin 
before  their  conversion.  Some  like  Saul,  arc  mad  aguintt  Jesus,  Uie 
way  of  salvation  by  him,  and  holiness  by  his  Spirit.  But  still,  as 
with  the  people  of  old,  God  bears  with  their  manners.  The  long- 
suffering  of  the  Lord  is  their  salvutlon.  He  is  not  wiiling  that  any 
one  of  them  should  perish.  All  of  tlicm  are  called  to  repentance;  and, 
to  know  the  preciousness  of  Jesus,  in  whom  they  are  preserved. 

Disciple  of  Jesus,  canst  thou  not  look  back  on  thy  past  life,  and 
see  thy  many,  many  narrow  escapes  from  death  ?  How  many  dan- 
gers hast  thou  been  delivered  from ;  yea,  when  only  one  hair's 
breadth  seemed  between  thee  and  eternity  !  O,  hadst  thou  died  in  thy 
unregenerate  state  of  sin  and  unbtiief,  howcouldst  iliou  have  escap* 
cd  the  damnation  of  hell  ?  But  impossible  this.  Tliou  wast  preserv- 
ed in  Christ  Jesus,  therefore  every  snare  of  deaili  has  been  broken. 
Thou  wast  immortal  till  the  Spirit  called  tliec.  Think  of  this  and 
be  humbled.  Reflect  on  the  love  of  thy  God  ;  rejoice,  and  give  iiim 
all  the  glory.  Tliou  hast  not  only  been  preserved  from  death  and 
hell,  but  art  called  to  life  and  salvation  by  Jesus.  His  life  is  tl>y 
righteousness,  his  blood  is  thy  redemption,  his  in.ercession  thy  sal- 
vation. And  what  awaits  tliee  now  ?  Mercy  from  God  the  Father, 
peace  in  Christ  Jesus,  love  from  the  blessed  Spirit.  Such,  such  is 
the  hiippy  portion  of  all  the  called.  May  this  be  multiplied  moi-e 
and  more  upon  thee  day  by  dny  !  Such  is  the  doctrine,  such  the 
prayer  of  Jude,  the  servant  of  Jesus,  under  the  inspiration  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  of  truth.  «  Ask,  and  ye  shall  receive,  tliat  your  joy  may- 
be full,"  Johnxvi.  24, 

Vol.  Is  Ww 


25Q  DECEMBER  11. 

J^ear  not.  little  flock ;  for  it  is  your  Father^  s  good  pleasure 
to  give  you  the  kingdom. — Luke  xii.  62. 

When  poor  sinners  are  converted  to  Jesus,  they  become  little 
in  their  own  eyes,  and  they  sec  but  few  comparatively  who  follow 
the  Lamb.  Tliere  former  fiicnds  turn  their  enemies.  Their  fonner 
hopes  are  ctjjt-  off.  They  know  their  own  strength  to  be  perfect 
weaUiiCss;  and  they  feel  the  burden  of  a  body  of  sin  and  death. 
Hence  their  poor  hearts  are  ©ften  exercised  with  anxious  cares  and 
distressing  fears.  Their  Saviour  knows  this  ;  thereiore  he  speaks 
to  tlT^n>  in  love,  fsrbids  their  fears,  and  administers  the  most  reviving 
draught  of  consolation. 

Ye  cliildren,  consider  your  dignity  as  adopted  sons  of  God.  Call 
to  mind  your  honorable  state,  heirs  of  a  kingdom,  heirs  of  God  the 
King  of  kings,  and  joint-heirs  with  Jesus  Christ  your  elder  brother. 
Though  at  present  ye  are  in  a  state  of  exile.  The  world  knows 
you  not.  Your  kindred  after  the  flesh  despise  you.  Carnal  profes- 
sors revile  and  persecute  you.  Satan  is  enraged  to  tempt  and  accuse 
you.  Yea,  and  your  worst  foes  are  most  nearly  allied  to  you  ;  the 
flesh,  with  its  corruptions  and  lusts,  sin  and  unbelief.  Yet,  saith 
the  head,  in  glory,  to  his  conflicting  members  on  earth,  "  Fear  not." 
Why  ?  what  consideration  can  dispel  the  anxious  fears,  and  alleviate 
the  distressing  doubts  of  drooping  disciples  ?  Verily  the  good- 
pleasure  of  their  Father  :  the  eternal  purposes  of  his  grace :  tho 
immutable  designs  of  his  love.  A  kingdom  is  prepared  for  you. 
Earth,  with  all  its  power  :  sin,  with  all  its  malignity  :  hell,  with  all 
its  rage  and  malice,  shall  never  depiive  you  of  your  Father's  patri- 
mony. O  disciple  !  how  does  this  heighten  the  mercy  and  secure 
the  inheritance  ?  It  is  a.  free  gift^  by  Jesus  Christ.  Poor  sou!, 
thou  art  fearing  about  thy  interest  in  and  title  to  the  kingdom  of 
glory.  Verily,  thou  canst  find  nothmg  in  thyself,  to  give  thee  a 
right  therr;:;.  But  thy  Siiviour  plainly  assures  thee,  it  is  of  "thy 
Father*s  good  pleasure."  What  power  can  avert  that  ?  Plast  thou  an 
heart  to  seek  the  kingdom  ?  Dost  thou  believe  in,  and  follow  the 
Lamb  ?  Dost  thou  see  somewhat  in  Jesus,  which  attracts  thy  affec- 
tions ?  Is  the  desire  of  thy  soul  after  him,  and  to  the  remembicince 
of  his  name  ?  llien  hath  the  glory  of  the  kingdom,  by  the  Spirit, 
shiced  upon  thine  heart.  No  marvel  sin  is  thy  grief  and  burden, 
whi'.e  Jesus  is  the  delight  and  hope  of  thy  soul.  May  it  suffice  to 
quiet  and  still  thy  mind,  that  the  Father's  gift  is  sure.  And  so  is 
the  way  also  ;  it  is  by  Jesus.  And  "  through  much  tribulation  thou 
(and  all  the  heirs)  must  enter  into  the  kingdom,"  Acts  xiv.  22. 

Ono  of  thy  little  flock,  my  Lord,  All!  Saviour  speak  away  these  fears, 

I'm  call'd  to  ioilow  tliee  :  From  my  poor  donlHiiig  breast : 

Bui  Fciirs  (irevail  and  say  that  I,  •  Assui'e  me,  'tis  thy  Father's  will. 

Shall  ne'er  tliy  kingdom  sec^  TUat  I  ia  tkee  sun  blest.                 ^f- 


DECEMBER  12.  359 

tfhy  people  shall  be  xuiHingin  the  day  of  thy  power^  in  the 
beauties  of  holiness  from  thewomhofthe  viunittii^:  lUoii 
hast  the  dew  of  thy  youth. — Psuim  ex.  3. 

When  sorercign  grucc  rcacheth  the  heaii,  it  casts  out  that 
son  of  the  bond-vvoniaji,  natural  free-will.  Tliis  had  long  usurped 
Ihe  throne,  and  subjected  tlic  poor  sinner  to  nothing  bui  priuc  ojid 
evil.  Yet  all  the  while  the  sinner  vainly  boasted  of  ins  li^jcriy  ; 
though  he  was  a  servile  slave  to  the  worst  of  drudgery  Ficc  iiioctd 
to  do  evil ;  but  to  do  good  witliout  power.  Such  is  the  natural  will 
of  evciy  sinner,  that  it  is  as  averse  to  turn  to  Je^us  as  the  will  of 
the  devil  is.  But  because  of  the  tree-will  dfleriijg  of  Jesus  his  njcni- 
bers  are  made  willing,  by  the  Spirit,  to  come  to  liim  as  their  oi.ly 
hope.  To  him  they  bring  free-will  offerings,  with  holy  \vol:^hip. 
Thus  Jehovah  the  Father  speaks  to  the  Son  of  his  love,  aiitl  t,iveb  a 
glorious  display  of  the  effects  of  everlasting  election  and  covcuvUit 
love,  under  the  energy  of  the  divine  Spirit.  See,  believer,  behold 
and  adore  the  equtd  love  of  the  glorious  triniiy.  Is  tl.y  luill  towaids 
Jesus  ?  is  the  language  of  thy  heart  none  but  Jesus,  all  oihcr  5a>  lours 
I  dischdm  ?  Verily,  where  this  luill  is  given  by  the  Spirit  iii  a  day 
of  power,  the  affections  arc  attracted  to  Jesus  in  the  ucautics  oi  holi- 
ness. Dost  thou  not  choose  the  sceptre  of  his  love  \o  rule  over  ilicc 
•as  well  as  the  atonement  of  his  blood  to  obtain  thy  pardon  ?  Tl.isc 
arc  inseparable.  Let  no  soul  deceive  himself  Every  beiirvti  is 
washed  in  the  blood  of  Jesus,  and  made  a  priest  unto  Ciud.  As  the 
high-priest  under  the  law  •'  put  on  the  breasi-pluic  of  judcmciii;  the 
urim  and  thumminu"  Exod.  xxviii.  30,  so  every  anointed  one  is  en- 
dued with  Ut^ht  and  jierfcction — The  ligli;  of  the  knowlLcl^c  ©f  Jesus, 
and  the  perfection  of  grace  which  dwells  in  him,  is  cornmunicaicd  to 
his  members.  Hence  in  the  exercise  of  laiih,  their  souis  obey  will- 
ingly,  serve  cheerfully,  and  delight  in  Jesus  continually.  Tins  is  a 
soul-affecting  consideration  :  all  is  of  grace.  Conceived  in  tlie  womb 
of  the  morning  of  eternity,  and  its  rich  profusion  freely  poured  lurih 
in  time,  like  the  pearly  dew  upon  the  vegetable  creation,  produces 
its  verdure,  refreshment,  and  fruits. 

So,  disciple,  all  thy  mercies  come  from  above.  Freely  thou  hast 
received  an  understanding  to  know,  a  will  to  choose,  and  affections 
to  cleave  unto  Jesus  :  "  Render  therefore  unto  Cxsar  the  things  that 
are  Ca:sar's."  Do  thou  take  all  the  shame  of  thy  sinful,  iVtt-will 
and  nature-state  to  thyself,  and  be  humbled  :  "  Hut  unto  VuaX  the 
things  that  arc  God's."  By  his  grace  "  I  am  what  I  am,"  should  ho 
thy  daily  confession  ;  and  this  the  sweet  exercise  of  thy  grau  ful 
heart,  to  glory  in  the  Lord  alone,  and  devote  thyself  to  his  service, 
<■  Ye  arc  not  your  own,"  1  Cor.  vi.  19. 


360  DECEMBER  13. 

Ye  are  not  your  own,  ye  are  bought  with  a  priee.^^l  Cor. 
vi.  19   20. 

O,  HOW  dear  is  every  believer  to  God  the  Father,  to  Jesus  the 
Saviour,  and  to  the  Spirit  the  comforter  ?    Each  divine  person  claims 
propriety  in   them.     The  Father  by  election  :  the  Son  by  redemp- 
tion :  the   Holy  Spirit  by  inhabitation.     How  sliould  this,  O  soul, 
call  forth  love,  excite  gratitude,  inflame  with  affection,  and  quicken 
thee  to  glorify  thy  Lord  !     Consider  daily,  thou  art  not  thine  own, 
but  a  ransomed  captive  of  Jesus.     Reflect  on  the  price  Jesus  paid  for 
thy  redemption.     Thou  art  bouglit  with  blood  :  with  blood  divine  ; 
blood,  spilt  on   the  accursed  tree,  in  direful  agony  and  shameful 
death,    was    the    price  of   thy  purchase.     So  thy  Saviour  bought 
thee,  at  the  hands  of  justice.     He  paid  the  utmost  farthing  of  thy 
debt  to  law.     He  redeemed  thee  from  the   power  of  Saian  ;  and 
snatched   thee  as  a  brand  from  the  jaws  of  death  and  hell.     And 
canst  thou  ever  think  thy  redeeming  Lord  will  leave  the  purchase 
of  his  blood  to  be  the  prey  of  the  devil  ?     After  he  hath  bought  thee 
at  such  an  inestimabie  piice,  will  he  not  claim  thee  as  his  own,  and 
bring  thee  safe  to  glory  ?     O,  beware  of  indulging  unbelief  1  Listen 
not  to  the  suj^gestions  of  Satan,  nor  to  the  voice  of  false  teachers. 
Fly  every  thought  which  impeaches   thy  Lord's  love,  wisdom  or 
power.     Consider,  thou  art  thy  Lord's  freeman.     As  a  chRste  virgin 
thou  art  espoused  to  Jesus  ;  in  faith  hast  plighted  thy  troth  ;  hast 
Voluntarily  given   thyself,  hand  and  heart,  to  be  thy  Lord's.     What 
then  is  thy  duty  ?  what  infinite  obligations  art  thou  under  to  forsake 
all  other  lovers,  and  to  cleave  to  thy  Lord  alone,  with  full  purpose 
of  heart !     Dost  thou  believe  thy  vile  body  shall  shortly  be  sown  in 
the  silent  grave  ?  and  that  it  shall  certainly  be  raised  a  glorious  body- 
like  unto  our  Saviour's  ?     How  much  doth  it  concern  thee  to  devote 
that  body  to  his  service  and  glory  on, earth,  which  shall  reign  with 
JesAis  in  heaven  !     Is  thy  body  the  temple  of  the  Holy  Ghost  ?  Canst 
thou  reflect  on  its  dignity,  and  debase  and  pollute  it  with  filthy  lusts  ? 
God  forbid  1     Doth  thy  spirit  enjoy  sweet  fellowship  with  the  Father 
and  his  Son  Jesus  ?  Doth  the  Spirit  itself  bear  witness  with  thy  spirit, 
that  thou  art  a  child  of  God  ?     Where  is  thy  love  to  the  truth  as  it  is 
in  Jesus  ?    Where  is  thy  zeal  for  his  cause  and  hiterest  ?     Remember 
whose  thou  art.     Be  concerned  to  live  up  to  thy  privilege  and  dignity. 
Be  earnest  in  prayer    for    power    to  obey  the    obligations  which 
infinite  and  eternal  love  hath  laid  thee  under.     "  Glorify  thy  Lord  in 
thy  body  and  in  thy  spirit  which  arx;  his,'' 

What  shall  we  pay  Ih'  eternal  Son,  Our  evcilastin'»  love  is  due     ~ 

TliMt  left  the  lieav'n  of  his  abode.  To  him  tliat  raiisom'd  sinners  lost,     , 

And  to  this  wretched  earth  came  down  And  liity'd  rebels  when  he  knew 

To  tiring  us  wand'rers  luck  to  God  !  Tlic  vast  e.xiicuce  his  love  would  cost'. 


DECEMBER  U.  361 

And  that,  knowitr^  the  time,  that  noiU  it  is  high   time  to 
awake  out  of  s/ee/j :  for  iiuw  is  our  salvation  nearer 
than  when  we  believed. — Rjin.  xui.  11. 
It  is  an  uffecliug  case,  but  a  real  truUi,  Uiat  Avise  virybs  arc 
apt  to  slumber  and  sleep  as  well  as  Uie  loolisti.     Tiaoujjh  U.e  prcs- 
sures  of  a  body  oi  sin  and  death,  und  the  opiaies  ol  worldly  ease  ai.d 
self-indulgence,  they  sometimes  fall  into  udvowsy  suic,ioai  .  s.ccpy 
frame  of  soul.     Hence,  tliey  lose  Uku-  former  delight  m  icii^rious 
duties  and  spiritual  exercises.     Their  loye  to  God  .ud  their  brethren 
in  Christ  grows  cold;  their  zeal  for  the  gl^.y   oi  Jcsu^a^.d  las  pre- 
cious truths  decline.     The   enemy  ukes  g..at   advantages  aj^aii^st 
them,  and  would  triumph  in  their  entire  .le..ruotion.     but  that  caii 
never  be,  for  the  Lord  prevents  it.     "  He  that  kccp.ih  Israel  uci  her 
slumbers  nor  sleeps."     Wdl  the  loving  fati.er  suffer  lu.  dear  children 
to  sleep  in  their  beds  till  devoured  by  raging  flames  ?     It  wc  being 
cviUh.ve   such  love  for  our  chiidiCi.,  how  mhi.iiciy  greater  u  the 
love  of  our  heavenly  Father  ?     Therefore  he  aUu.s  souls  aau  awa- 
kens them  to  duty  and  watchfulness. 

Thus  Paul,  his  faithful  watchman,  lifts  up  his  voice  uf  warning, 
cries  the  hour,  and  reproves  disciples  as  acting    unb.  coming.     It 
being  both  unreasonable  and  unseasonable  lor  them  w no  know  the 
time  of  day  to  indulg-e  sloth  and  heaviness.     It  is  higli  time  to  au-ale 
out  of  sleep.     Come,  chrisuan,  look  around  thee,  look  up.     The 
Saviour  reigns.     It  is  broad  day.     See  the  sun  shunng      Nay  U  is 
in  its  meridian.     And  thou  art  just  got  to  thy  J-^-^y  ^  ^";^-     ["^^ 
in  sight  of  thv   Father's  house.     Thy  Lord  is  coming  to  meet   hce 
What  1  wilt  thou  sleep  on  and  take  thy  .rest  ?      1  he  Spu  it  .pea.s  to 
thee  in  this  word,  »  Now  is  Uiy  salvation  nearer  than  when  Uiou  hrst 
believed."     The  Lord  is  at  hand.     ^^Let  tny  n-clcration,  in     are 
after  the  things  of  this  world,  be  known  uuc«  all  men        W  hat  ar. 
thou  grasping  so  much   of  perishing  things  lor.'      I  hou  con.    not 
Id  them  ong.     Off  hands,  beloie  death  m.kes  thee  c.tut  thy  hold. 
™,k  what  tl^ou  art  spiritually  born  for,  called  to    and  an  just  ^^o- 
ing  to  take  possession  of.     Verily,  if  thy  soul  ^^^->^  ^^^"^ 
seest  thing     as. they  really  are.     Tun.^  with  ah  its  tojs  .nd  plea- 
sure^ ho^^hort  1  %:.r..,,  with  all  its  rich  g^^ 
ble  blessings,  how  long  1     Jesus,  with  all  his  cndc.nng  ^^^^ 
in  his  adorable  person,  pixeious  offices,  ble.scd  promi.e.    ..d  glon^ 
ousworkand.nisheds.vat.nfortli..as.^^^^^ 

enjoy' d.  If  U.ou  hast  lost  the  sense  ol  this  b,  ^"^  ^  ;;  ^^ 
vrith  the  church,  M  will  giro  no  sleep  to  uaue  eyes,  unul  I  fmU  the 
Lord,"  Pstdmcxxxii.  4,  5. 


$62  DECEMBER  IS. 

Watch  ycy  stand  fast  in  the  faith,  quit  you  like  men,  be 
strong. — 1  Cor.  xvi.  13. 

Believers  in  the  Lord  Jesus  now  partake  of  an  ererlRsting 
sahation.     No  enemy  can  deprive  tliem  of  the  full  enjoyment  of  it 
in  glory ;  because  "  they  are  kept  by  the  mighty  power  of  God." 
But  we  are  daily  to  consider,  it  is  "  through  faith,"  i  Pet.  i.  5. 
Do  we  believe  in  the  atonement  of  Jesus'  blood  ;  do  we  rely  on  the 
perfection  of  his  righteousness?  Why  so  ?  Because  the  word  of  the 
Lord  is  the  warrant  for  our  faith.     Hence,  O  soul,  the  exhortations 
from  the  same  word  to  duty  are  equally  binding   on   thy  belief  and 
practice.     The  same  Lord  who  has  saved  us  irom  our  enemies,  calls 
us  to  watch  against  them.     Jesus  wlio  is  gone  to  prepare  a  place  for 
us  in  glory,  directs  us  how  to  demean  ourselves  in  the  way  to  it. 
Shall  the  christian  soldier  neglect  the  command  of  the  captain  of  his 
salvation,  when  the  glory  of  God  and  the  peace  and  comfort  of  his 
own  soul  are  equally  concerned  ?  Surely  not- 
Through  watchfulness  many  evils  are  prevented,  many  blessings 
enjoyed.     When  a  christian  is  off  his  guard,  or  asleep  when  he 
should  watch,  how  is  he  exposed  to  the  tdtacks  and  temptations  of 
tlie  enemy  !     It  is  for  our  good   that  the  Lord  commands  it  as  our 
duty.     It  is  through  his  power  that  hereby  the  good  soldier  of  Jesus 
Christ  is  enabled  to  stand  fast  in  the  profession,  power  and  comfort 
qf  faith.     It  was  Paul's  joy  in  the  views  of  death,  that  he  had  "kept 
the  faith,"  2  Tim.  iv.  7.     Would  we  enjoy  the  same  comfort  r  Suive 
in  the  strength  of  the  Lord  to  follow  his  example.     Check  the  risings 
of  unbelief.     Oppose  the  workings  of  carnal  reason.     Resist  steJ- 
fastly  in  the  faith  the  sulitle  devices  of  satan.     This  is  your  duty  and 
wisdom.     So  shall  we  quit  ourselves  like  men  of  valour  and  courage  : 
like  victorious  saints  of  old,  «  who  overcame  every  enemy  through 
the  blood  of  the  Lamb."     Droop  not,  Q  believer,  thy  strength  is  tlie 
Lord's  omnipotence.     Lift  up  thy  head  with  boldness,  thine  enemies 
are  vanquished  by  the  conquering  Jesus.     Be  strong.     Look  off  thy- 
self.    Look  to  the  strong  for  strength.     Look  unto  Jesus  continu- 
ally.    Rely  only  on  the  power  of  his  might  hourly.     His  arm  is  not 
shortened.     The  reliance  of  faith  engages  his  power.     The  cry  of 
faitli  obtains  victory.     There  is  an  open  and  effectual  door  by  which 
tho*\i  shall  enter  into  glory  ;  but  thou  must  fight  thy  way  through. 
Consider  daily  this  is  our  motto,  "  More  than  conquerors  through 
Jesus  who  hath  loved  us,''  Rom.  viii.  37. 

Dear  Lord,  my  tliankful  Iieart  receives    I  am  my  love's  and  he  is  mine, 

Tiic  hope  thine  in\it;ition  gives:  Onrhearts,  our  hopes,  oui- passions  joia  ; 

To  tlieeliiy  joyful  lips  shall  raise  Nor  let  a  motion,  or  a  word, 

I'he  voice  of  prayei-,  the  voice  of  praise.  Nor  thought  arise  to  grieve  my  Lord. 


DECEMBER  16.  3G3 

Blessed  are  the  pure  hi  hearty  fur  tJietj  shall  see  Cod. — 
Matt.  V.  .8. 

Every  institution  of  purification  under  the  law  rcfcirtd  to 
Jesus,  the  purifier  of  his' people.  Okl-Testamcnt  >aints  rcLcivtd 
inward  purity  of  heart  from  the  same  fountain,  Jcbus  ;  and  through 
the  same  means,  faith  in  him.  Witiiout  this  inward  purity  of 
heart,  "  without  holiness,  no  man  ever  did  or  ever  shall  see  tlie 
Lord."  When  Jesus  comes  to  his  temple,  even  tlic  hearts  of  his 
people,  he  "  sits  as  a  refiner  and  purifier."  Sinners  are  the  objects 
of  his  love.  Sin  is  the  accursed  thing  his  soul  hales.  From  this  he 
purifies  them.  In  purity  and  holiness  his  soul  delights  :  %\iih  this 
lie  blesses  his  disciples.  He  then  pronoxnices  them  blessed.  He 
tells  ihcm  wherein  their  happiness  consists:  blessed  are  you,  whose 
hearts  are  pure  :  blessed  are  your  eyes,  for  they  shall  sec  Clod. 

"  Who  oan  bring  a  clean  thing  out  of  an  unclean?  Not  one"  of 
fallen  Adam's  race.  Job.  xiv.  4.  Such  power  belongs  to  God  oifly. 
Man  contributes  nothing  hereto.  13ut  man,  every  believing,  rege- 
nerate man,  is  the  blessed  subject  of  purity  ai^d  holiness  of  heart. 
He  has  no  hand  in  purifying  his  heart.  No  glory  is  due  to  him. 
But  hsiy,  blessed  effects  flow  from  it,  to  God  his  Saviour's  glory,  to 
his  present  felicity,  and  to  his  eternal  comfort  and  joy.  To  thy 
shame  disciple,  thou  knowest  being  a  child  of  an  apostate,  sinful 
parent,  naturally  only  sin  was  the  delight  of  thine  heart.  It  is  thy 
present  blessedness  to  be  a  child  of  the  holy  God,  a  member  of  the 
holy  Jesus,  a  subject  of  the  holy  Spirit's  new  creating  influence, 
•and  a  partaker  of  holy  faith. 

Hence  it  is  natural  to  thy  holy,  new-born  lie  art,  to  love  holiness, 
as  agreeable  to  the  perfections  of  thy  God  and  Saviour,  and  as  it  is 
suitable  to  thy  present  stale  of  blessedness  in  Christ  Jesus.  Whence 
those  sighs  and  sorrows  at  finding  tlie  Canaanitcs  still  in  the  land? 
Whence  those  groans  and  prayers  because  sin  dwtlleth  in  the  flesh? 
Whence  those  importunate  cries  and  longing  rcciuests  to  Jesus  for 
total  victory  and  perfect  freedom  from  this  troublesome  inmate  ? 
Whence  that  holy  joy  and  sweet  complacency  in  Ijringing  forth  "  the 
fruits  of  holiness  ?"  These  arc  indubitable  evidences  that  thou  art 
united  to  a  holy  Jesus,  that  thy  heart  is  purified  by  faith,  that  thou 
hast  a  heart  cleansed  from  all  sin  by  Christ's  blood.  A  new  hcuri 
and  right  Spirit  are  put  within  thee.  Thou  dost  sec  God  iu  Chiist 
NOW  as  thy  covenant-God.  Thou  hast  received  covenant  blcssingi 
from  him.  Rejoice  in  him.  Shortly,  thou  shall  see  him  and  enjoy 
liim  to  all  eternity  in  his  kingdom  and  glory. 

Elcss'J  arc  the  liicn  of  In-okcn  heart,  TJlos^'J  .-irc  tl.e  i.un:,  ^.  l.o^o  hcirtt  art 

A\'ho  mouni  for  siu  uitli  in#ai-d  sin^rt :  From  ihc  tlcfiliug  po« 'r»  of  »in  ;  [clean, 

'I'hc  blood  of  Cluist  divinely  now.«,  '  \\  itli  cnJk-'  l'lrn»>'ic  tlirj  sJi.U  vx, 

A  licaliic-  I'l'lm  for  all  thch-  ^^  of  r  A  tio.I  flf  ip-Utsi  pwi'/-. 


364  DECEMBER  17. 

Righteousness  deliver eth  from  death. — Prov.  xi.  4. 

When  a  poor  sinner  is  brought  to  judge  of  himself  according  t» 
the  word  of  truth,  then  is  he  truly  wise.  When  he  sees  the  exceed- 
ing sinfulness  of  sin,  he  is  humbled  before  the  Lord.  When  he  con- 
siders "  the  wages  of  sin  is  death,"  he  fears  and  trembles.  But 
when  he  is  enabled  to  believe  he  is  righteous  in  the  sight  of  God, 
then  he  is  truly  happy.  His  soul  rejoiceth,  because  his  eyes  have 
seen  the  salvation  of  God  ;  and  he  hath  found  a  righteousness  that 
delivers  from  death.  It  is  never  well  with  the  soul,  but  when  in 
simplicity  and  godly  sincerity,  it  forms  its  judgment  of  sin  and  righ- 
teousness from  the  word  of  the  Lord.  For  carnal  reason  and  fleshly 
wisdom  pervert  and  draw  it  aside  from  tlie  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus. 
Sin  is  a  transp;vession  of  the  laAv,  which  is  holy,  just,  and  good. 
"  Death  has  passed  upon  all  men."  Verily  then  I  am  a  cursed  sin- 
ner, and  have  need  to  cry  daily,  "  God  be  merciful  to  me  !"  Lord, 
deliver  my  soul  from  death  !  What  is  righteousness,  but  a  perfect 
obedience  to  the  law  of  God  ?  I  have  no  lighteousness  in  myself. 
I  have  sinned.  A  sinner  righteous  in  himself  is  a  contradiction 
in  terms. 

But  here  is  our  mercy  ;  as  by  man  sin  entered  into  the  world,  and 
death  as  the  curse  of  sin  :  so  by  man  came  righteousness  ;  and  as  a 
blessing  of  it,  dcliverraice  from  death.  Where  can  we  turn  our  eyes? 
to  whom  can  we  look  for  this  righteousness,  this  blessing,  this  de- 
liverance ?  To  the  man,  Mediator,  surety,  and' representative  of  his 
people,  Jesus,  only.  He  is  emphatically  styled  "  the  righteous," 
]  John  ii.  I .  This  is  the  comfortable  testimony  the  Spirit  of  trutli  bears 
of  Jesus,  "  He  was  made  to  be  sin  for  us  who  knew  no  sin,  that  we 
(who  have  no  righteousness  in. ourselves)  might  be  made  the  righ- 
teousness of  God  IN  HIM,"  1  Cor.  V.  21.  So  the  righteous  Jehovah, 
who  loveth  righteousness,  and  whose  countenance  beholds  the  thing 
that  is  just,  is  well  pleased  Avith  the  members  of  Jesus  :  for  they 
are  clothed  with  his  righteousness.  The  Lord  laid  their  sins  upon 
Jesus.  The  Lord  imputes  the  righteousness  of  Jesus  to  them 
without  any  work  of  theirs.  So  he  delivers  them  from  deserved 
death  ;  so  he  justifies  them  in  righteousness  unto  cternallife  :  every 
believer  is  as  peifectly  righteous  in  Christ  as  if  he  had  never 
siiUfied.  Here  is  thy  happiness,  O  believer  !  it  is  thy  joyful  privi- 
lege thus  to  judjje  of  thviclf.  To  live  in  this  view  of  thyself  is 
agreeable  to  the  truth  of  God's  word  :  it  is  witnessed  to  thy  soul 
by  the  comforter,  through  faith.  This  makes  the  soul  joyful  in 
truth.  This  animates  to  all  holy  obedience  in  love.  This  gives 
confidence  in  prayer,  comfort  is  life,  deliverance  from  death,  and 
boldne'ss  at  the  awful  bar  of  judf^mcnt.  Thus  "  grace  reigns 
through  righteousness  unto  eternal  life,  by  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord," 
Rom.  V.  21. 


DECEMBER  18.  565 

Let  the  peace  of  God  rule  in  your  licurf.s.  to  ii'luch  ye  art: 
called  in  one  body  ;  and  be  ye  thankful — Col,  iii.  15. 

Every  exhorlution  in  the  word  of  pjtucc  implies  a  coiuraiy  I'.is- 
position  in  the  f.tUen  nature  of  saints.  Because  ihovi  hast  turbultncy 
and  disorder  in  thy  flesh,  therefore  art  ihou.  believer,  culUd  upon 
by  the  word,  to  oppose  it  in  the  grace  of  the  Spirit.  Here  is  thy 
dciily  exercise.  AVe  sliall  surely  meet  with  many  things  from  uilhiu 
and  without,  which  are  contraiy  to  the  peace  of  our  minds,  and  llic 
comfort  of  our  hearts.  Thou.  O  man  of  God,  art  to  flee  these  thinj^s; 
watch  at^ainst  them  ;  pray  for  victory  over  tlitm.  Thou  hast  llic 
most  powerful  excitements  hereto.  Jesus  hath  made  peacc-by  the 
blood  of  his  cross.  Every  disciple  is  called  to  the  knowkd|je  unJ 
enjoyment  of  it  through  faith.  Called  to  be  of  that  one  body  whereof 
Jesus  is  the  head.  Hence  the  hand-writing  of  U»e  law  of  accusation 
is  cancelled  in  the  mind  ;  sin  is  dethroned  in  the  licart ;  the  clamours 
of  conscience  silenced  ;  and  sweet  peace  with  God  inwaixlly  felt. 
Dost  thou,  soul,  possess  tliis  happy  slate  ?  What  tlien  sluJl  be  the 
umpire  ?  What  the  detcrmininsj  rule  of  thy  conduct  ?  Live  by  the 
word  of  truth  on  the  prince  of  peace  ;  so  shall  thy  outward  actions 
be  pjoveraed  right. 

Peace  with  God  is  the  fruit  of  everlasting  love.  Its  root  was 
planted  in  the  eternal  coimsel ;  it  blossoms  and  Ijears  fruit  in  the  life 
and  death  of  Jesus  ;  and  poor  sinners  reap  the  sweet,  heartfelt  hen.sc 
of  it  by  faith.  Nothing  can  destroy  tliis  heavenly  plant ;  but  many 
things  may  cause  it  to  droop  and  wither  in  sense  and  experience. 
Z-e?  the  peace  of  God  rule.  Hence  it  is  plain  thou  art  exposed  to 
many  things  which  may  prevent  its  ruliitg  ;  those  are  to  be  guaidcil 
against.  While  the  peace  of  God  rears  its  head,  and  rules  in  the 
heart,  its  natural  influence  is  to  follow  peace  with  all  men.  Yea,  the 
peaceful  soul  embraces  every  member  of  the  prince  of  peace  in  the 
open  arms  of  faith  and  love.  And  canst  thou  barter  the  enjoyment 
of  this  rich  gem  of  thy  Redeemer's  crown,  for  the  grutificaiions  of 
unbridled  passion,  unchristian  resentment,  undue  revenyje  against 
thy  brother  ?  Hath  thy  Lord  dealt  so  with  thee  ?  Has  this  Ik-cm  the 
rule  of  the  meek  Lamb's  conduct?  Thou  knowest  otherwise.  "Dear- 
ly beloved,  avenge  not  yourselves."  Yes  :  avenge  thyself  on  'the 
enemy  of  thy  peace.  O  disciple,  thy  pride  is  the  cause  of  angcf  and 
passion.  Here  fix  all  thy  indignation.  Against  this  be  fired  with  a 
holy  resentment.  A  sense  of  anger  will  hinder  thy  prayers.  Rtscnl- 
ment  will  shut  up  thy  spirit  against  gratitude  and  thankfulness  lo  il.y 
God.  O,  offer  up  this  sweet  sacrifice  continually  from  tly  hca:t. 
Beware  lest  the  smoke  of  pride  and  corruptions  clo\id  thy  mind,  and 
darken  thy  soul.  Be  humble.  Humility  is  llu  ground  of  gi-ulilude. 
«'  Remember  thy  calling,  and  study  to  M';Uk  worthy  of  ii,"  J'phcs.  iv.  1 . 

Voh.  I.  X  X 


366  DECEMBER  19. 

A}id  Mary  hath  chosen  that  good  part,  which  shall  not  b^ 
taken  away  from  her. — Luke  x.  42. 

What  ihe  Lord  said  of  Aaron's  rod,  is  true  of  the  hearts  of  all 
his  elect :  "  The  man's  rod,  whom  I  shall  choose,  shall  blossom," 
Numb.  xvii.  5»  To  see  a  dead  withered  stick,  cut  oft'  ti  om  the  root, 
bring  forth  blossoms,  is  a  miracle  in  nature.  So  when  the  soul  of 
a  once  dead  sinner  shoots  forth  the  blossoms  of  affection  to,  and 
ciiooses  Jesus  as  its  portion  and  happiness,  and  brings  fortii  fruits  of 
holiness  ;   this  is  a  miracle  of  grace. 

The  love  of  Jesus  to  his  people  was  not  only  conceived  in  his  heart 
from  eternity,  but  was  manifested  in  his  life  and  death  in  time.  So 
when  our  hearts  are  made  accjuamted  with  the  love  of  Jesus,  it  can- 
not be  hid.  When  Jesus  is  chosen  as  our  treasure,  our  affections 
cleave  to  him,  we  follow  him  ;  our  delight  is  to  hear  his  voice,  to 
sit  at  his  feet,  and  attend  upon  the  gracious  words  which  drop  from 
his  lips.  Blessed  be  his  name,  he  indulges  Ms  people  now  with 
spiritual,  real  communion  with  him  ;  though  we  enjoy  not  his  bodily 
presence.  This  is  our  heaven  upon  earth.  But  it  differs  from  the 
heaven  of  glory  in  this  ;  because  here  are  many  things  that  interrupt 
our  constant  enjoyment  of  Jesus — satan  envies  it — the  flesh  lusteth 
against  it — the  world,  with  its  profits  and  pleasures,  tends  to  allure 
OS  from  it.  .And  indeed  the  poor  heart  is  oft  times  ready  to  fear  it 
shall  lose  Jesus'  grace  and  salvation.  Though^  like  Mary,  the  soul 
hath  chosen  the  good  part  in  time,  yet  it  sometimes  doubts  of  the  en- 
joyment of  its  portion  in  a  blissful  eternity.  But  that  is  impossible  ; 
because  Jesus  is  God,  and  it  is  impossible  for  God  to  lie.  But  had 
not  Martha  also  a  part  in  this  one  thing  needful  ?  Doubtless.  But 
still  she  was  ever  careful,  and  too  much  cumbered  about  other  tilings. 
This  our  Lord  reproves.  The  same  grace  which  was  effectual  ia 
Mary's  heart,  influences  the  heart  of  every  disciple  to  the  same 
choice  ;  therefore  what  Jesus  said  to  her  in  tlie  days  of  the  flesh,  is 
wrote  by  his  Spij-it  for  our  consolation  .and  establishment  in  faith  and 
love.  Mary  displayed  the  greatness  of  her  soul  in  being  satisfied 
with  no  object  short  of  Jesus,  and  the  humility  of  her  heart  in  sitting 
at  his  feet.  Poor  doubting,  fearing  believer,  thy  choice  of  Jesus  is 
tl^<t  effect  of  God's  choosing  thee  in  Jesus  ;  therefore  thy  good  part, 
thy. happy  choice,  shall  never  be  taken  from  thee;  but  thou  shall 
soon  hear  the  voice  of  thy  beloved,  saying,  "Come  up  hither." 
<•'■  Where  I  am  there  shall  my  servants  be.  If  any  man  serve  mc, 
him  will  my  Father  honor,"  John  xii.  26. 

Tli'isiJRilh  the  -wisdom  of  the  Lord,  The  soul  that  seeks  me  shall  obtain 

DcHs'd  isthoriian  ihat  licars  my  vord;  TmmniLiil  wealtli  and  licav'nly  gain  ; 

Ke^jpsil!;ily  watch  before  my  };;atcs,  ImmortaHife  is  his  reward, 

Ajw'i  at  my  fuet  lor  mercy  waits.  In  love  aud  fftvor  of  lus  Lord. 


DECEMBER  20.  367 

Truly  our  fellowship  is  with  the  Father,  and  with  his  .^on 
Jesus  Christ. — 1  John  i.  3. 

The  prophet  asks,  "  cannot  two  walk  toj^cihcr,  cxccpi  ihcy  be 
agreed  ?"  Amos  iii.  3.  No.  There  can  be  no  swcci  conui.Uhioti.  no 
comfortable  fellowship  between  God  and  man,  excc^i  ihcy  be  ufjrted. 
See  then,  O  soul,  this  fellowship  is  enjoyed  l)y  faith  :  for  by  fahh  wc 
are  brought  into  agreement  with  God.  CtjUbider,  how  the  glorious 
three  concur  to  make  our  souls  ihus  hui^py.  It  pleased  CIihI  ihc 
Father,  that  all  fulness  should  dwell  in  liib  Son.  He  deleni.i:.vd  lo 
display  all  his  grace  and  glory  in  the  man  Jesus,  for  ihe  sinner's  buiva- 
tion — Hence  he  saith  to  us,  "  This  is  my  beloved  Son,  lu  whom  1  uin 
well  pleased,  hear  yc  him."  But  we  are  averse  to  agree  witii  (Jr4 
and  to  hear  Jesus.  We  had  rather  have  fellowship  wuh  the  unlruii- 
ful  works  of  darkness,  and  that  the  devil  should  rule  over  us  ;  iiicin 
that  Jesus  should  have  the  whole  gioiy  oi  saving  us  by  his  m..cc. 
But  the  dear  Spirit  loves  us  with  equaliy  the  sune  love  as  Ujc  i-aihtr 
and  the  Son  doth.  He  takes  tiie  scaks  of  ignorance  irom  our  eyes, 
and  the  veil  of  unbelief  from  our  hearts;  then  we  fall  in  love  with 
Jesus''  precious  person.  He  convinces  us  of  our  sin  ano  uiiscrj-.  Oi 
then  we  gladly  hear  and  joyfully  ^receive  Jesus  lo  be  our  S.i\iour. 
Then  we  come  to  the  exact  point  where  the  Taiher  meeis  Ub  ^nd  em- 
braces us,  even  in  his  Son  Jesus.  He  suitli  to  us,  o  my  blessetl  sons  1 
All  I  have  is  yours.  We  say  to  him,  O  our  lovnig  Faiher  !  All  we 
are  is  thine.  And  just  as  children  of  one  family  Jiavc  sweet  com- 
munion, loving  uitercourse,  and  agreeable  fellowship  with  each  other, 
and  with  their  common  parents  ;  so  have  we  wiUi  our  heavenly  Fa- 
ther, and  our  dear  brother,  Jesus,  in  our  spirits.  He  speaks  tons;- 
WQ  hear  and  obey.  We  pray  to  him  ;  he  hears  and  answers.  ^Vc 
kave  fellowship  in  the  Father's  everlasting  love  ;  in  the  Son's  ever- 
lasting righteousness,  atonement,  salvation,  and  intercession,  tlirough 
the  Spirit's  everlasting  consolation.  O,  what  astonishing  grace  1  O, 
what  wonder  of  love  is  this  !  Sinners  of  a  mortal  race  enjoy  close 
fellowship  and  intimate  communion  with  tlic  higii  and  lofty  one  who 
inhabits  eternity.  This  is  our  highest  felicity  below.  Here  wc 
admire,  adore,  and  love.  Angels  behold  with  wonder  and  jny  our 
conversion  to  it.  .But  this  fills  with  envy  and  fires  with  rage,  ih«' ' 
infernal  spirits.  They  hate  the  truth,  and  oppose  our  knowledge 
and  enjoyment  of  it.  Though  satan  is  not  ixquuinied  with  our  sneel 
fellowship,  yet  he  sees  we  are  not  delighted  to  have  feJlowship  with 
him  in  unfruitful  works  of  darkness.  Hence  he  is  our  adversary. 
And  all  the  world,  who  are  under  his  inlluencc,  he  stirs  up  withim- 
placable  enmity  against  us.  But  what  of  all  this  ?  Faiih  is  our  vie- 
toiy.  And  as' this  fellowship  is  begun  in  faith  ;  so  the  holy  Spirit 
vill  maintain  it  in  the  soul  by  faitli  below,  till  wc  come  to  tlic  fullest 
enjoyment  of  God  and  .the  Lanib  above. 


368  DECEMBER  21. 

That  we  might  have  strong  consolation,  xvho  have  Jled for 
refuge,  to  lay  hold  on  the  hope  set  before  us. — Heb.  vi.  18. 

Man  is  equally  fallen  from  God  with  the  devil.  There  is  only 
tl^iis  difference  between  them;  sovereign  grace  provides  hope  for  men, 
and  not  for  devils.  Jesus  is  the  only  hope  for  lost  sinners.  To 
hira  the  heirs  of  promise  flee.  In  him  they  find  a  refuge  from  every 
danger.  Like  the  man-slayer  under  the  Uiw,  who  was  in  danger  of 
death  on  every  side,  and  no  way  of  safety  but  in  the  city  of  refuge, 
which  God  appointed  for  him.  Here  his  life  was  safe.  The  law  of 
God  was  his  protection.  No  one  durst  take  vengeance  on  him. 
Such  was  God's  provision  for  him.  Infinitely  superior  are  the  set- 
tlements of  grace.  The  salvation  of  the  soul,  with  eternal  life  and 
glory  ai'e  for  ever  secured  to  us  by  God's  immutable  counsel,  his 
iuvioluble  promises — Yea  more,  God  has  pledged  himself ;  he  hath 
confirmed  all  by  his  oath.  O,  the  cursed  nature  of  vuibelief !  It 
makes  the  God  of  truth  a  liar  :  it  would  prove  the  God  of  faithful- 
ness perjured.  O,  the  devilish  nature  of  pride  !  It  would  share  in  the 
glory  of  salvation  ;  it  disowns  our  damned  state  ;  and  therefore  denies 
the  sovereignty  of  grace.  Pride  rises  into  wrath  at  distinguishing 
grace,  that  God  should  bestow  his  favor  upon  whom  he  please th, 
which  he  owes  to  no  one.  For  who  hath  deserved  his  grace  ?  Glory 
to  the  rich  grace  of  our  God,  a  present  refuge,  a  present  hope  are 
freely  set  before  us  ;  and  strong  consolation  enjoyed  by  us  now. 

Are  the  eyes  of  our  undel'standing  enlightened  to  see  Jesus,  the 
hope  of  our  caUing  ?  the  insufficiency  of  every  other  hope  ?  Have 
we  fled  from  every  refuge  of  lies  to  Jesus,  and  Uiid  hold  on  him  by 
faith  as  our  only  hope  ?  This  is  by  the  grace  of  the  holy  Spirit. 
He  is  our  comforter.  He  administers  strong  consolation  to  our  souls 
from  Jesus.  The  "immutability  of  God's  counsel ;  and  the  confir- 
ination  of  his  oath"  centers  in  Jesus.  See  thy  distinguishu)g  grace, 
O  believer,  and  rejoice.  Not  only  safe,  but  happy  ;  not  only  secure, 
but  joyful.  This  is  grace  upon  grace.  Not  only  glory  in  reversion, 
but  grace  in  possession.  You  see  your  calling,  brethren  ;  and  the 
riches  of  your  inheritance  with  all  saiiits.  These  are  your  strong 
holds,  ye  prisoners  of  hope.  Though  imprisoned  m  a  body  of  sin 
and  death  ;  exposed  to  unbelieving  doubts  and  fears  ;  liable  to  sore 
t^riiils  and  conflicts  with  your  adversary,  satan  ;  yet  ever  consider  this  ; 
nothing  but  consolation,  strong  consolation  awaits  you  in  Christ 
Jesus.  He  is  your  constant  refuge,  your  only  hope  :  "  Abide  in 
lue,"  saith  the  Lamb.  He  would  have  us  be  simple  of  heart ,  so 
shall  we  be  joyful  in  Spirit.  Fot'  verily,  if  we  look  to  any  other 
object  b\it  Jesus,  we  shall  smart  for  it.  We  can  draw  comfort  from 
no  other.  In  Jesus  we  can  triumph  with  joy  ;  and  challenge  yviili 
confidence  "  who  shall  by  any  thing  to  the  charge  of  God's  elect," 
Rom.  viii.  33. 


DECEMBER  22.  ^G9 

Then  all  the  disciples  forsook  him  am/JIcd.^yiM.  xx^  i.  5G. 

On  rcadinpj  this,  who  can  rclVain  from  crying  out,  '*  Lord,  what 
is  man  !"  What  dinger  um  I  in  !  Lord,  keep  mc  I  Whut  awful 
effects  have  a  fit  of  fcar  and  a  frame  of  uii'jclitf  produced  i  Ikrc 
wae  the  beloved  disciple  Jo/m,  who  lay  hi  tlie  Uosyni  of  Jesus  ;  the 
courageous  Pefcr,  who  was  to  die  with  him  ;  the  ambitious  Janiei 
who  requested  to  sit  at  his  right  hand  in  his  kingdom ;  with  CVC17 
one  of  the  other  disciples,  forsaking  lUid  Hying  from  innocence  in 
distress.  The  shepherd  was  seized,  iind  the  affrighted  she  p  were 
instantly  scattered.  Provoking  ingratitude  !  Dosi  thou  thii)l;,0  my 
soul,  thou  wouldst  have  acted  one  whit  better  ?  Verily,  if  so  thou  art 
vain.  Now  if  Jesus  had  chosen  them,  and  continued  to  love  ihcm, 
on  condition  of  their  faitliful  conduct  towards  hnn,  ihrn  single 
instance  was  sufficient  to  turn  his  love  to  hatred,  his  election  of  ihein 
into  reprobation,  and  casting  them  off  forever. 

What  then  becomes  of  terms  and  conditions  of  salvation  ?  The 
notion  eclipses  God's  glory  ;  feeds  pride  ;  shackles  the  faitii  of 'sin- 
ners. If  our  dear  Saviour  was  to  judge  of  and  dctci'niine  the  state 
of  his  disciples  from  their  outward  conduct  as  wc  too,  100  oft  do  by 
ourselves,  miglit  he  not  reason  thus  concerning  them  ?  «•  What 
treachery  and  deceit  have  I  met"  with  from  these  wretches  I  Wlulc 
in  my  greatest  agonies,  they  were  desliiute  of  the  least  sympathizing 
spirit :  they  indulged  sleep,  instead  of  granting  one  friendly  request, 
to  watch  with  mc  one  hour  :  "though  thrice  awaked  by  mc,  yet  tlicy 
shewed  no  regard  for  mc.  At  supper  they  all  promised  to  ro  to 
prison  and  death  with  me.  Here  is  one  rash  fellow  halli  cut 
off  an  ear;  and  now,  upon  the  very  first  sight  of  danger,  as  though 
Ihcy  had  all  combined  together,  they  arc  o//  fled  from  mc  ;  uiid 
soon,  the  most  daring  of  them  all  will  with  horrid  oaths  and  curses 
deny  that  he  knows  mc."  Might  we  not  expect  to  hear  our  Lord's 
sentence,  "  Cut  them  asunder,  and  divide  them  their  poriion  with 
hypocrites  ?"  It  must  be  so,  if  salvation  rested  upon  terms  and  con- 
ditions. But  no;  grace  reigns;  not  for  days  aiul  years,  but  to 
eternal  life.  Astonisliing  as  their  ingratitude,  hi;;hly  provokin-  ax 
their  conduct  was  to  Jesus,  yet  more  astonishing  his  love,  and  l;i;^her 
his  mercy  surmounts  than  all  their  offences.  Hence,  uin.-z!;  j;  to 
read,  tlie  very  first  message  Christ  sends  is  fihl  of  Io\e  lind 
fraught  with  affection.  «*  Love  covers  a  multitude  of  sins."  Not  one 
word  of  upbraiding  ;  but,  "  Go  and  tell  my  brethren,"  Stc.  Surely, 
O  Jesus,  never  was  love  like  thine  I  What  I  brethren  still  ?  Yes  ;  th«* 
bond  of  union,  the  dear  relation  ever  subsists;  nor  iin,  nor  d<»itJi, 
nor  hell,  shall  ever  destroy  it.  "But,  O  christian,  under  a  sci.«-  of 
base  ingratitude  to,  and  forsukhig  of  Ji  sus,  what  wounds  sc  cicip 
as  love  ?  What  humiliation,  what  repenting*  does  lovi  kfudit  ut  Uic 
heart?  "Godly  sorrow  workcth  repentance  to  biUvation,"  'iCo;  .vii.  l<'. 


S76  DECEMBER  23. 

Charity  shall  cover  the  multitude  of  sins > — 1  Pet.  iv.  8. 

Many  sinners  have  and  do  awfully  deceive  their  poor  souls  by 
R  sad  perversion  of  these  words.  For  they  suppose  tliat  being-  chari- 
table to  the  poor  will  cover  the  multitude  of  their  sins  from  the  sight 
*  of  a  holy,  sin-avenging  God.  O  fatal  mistake  !  Hence  they  are 
encouraged  in  their  sinful  practices,  from  such  a  viiin,  unscriptural 
notion.  It  is  thy  mercy,  believer,  to  be  delivered  ir«m  such  delu- 
sion, by  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.  For  to  atone  for  sin  was  his 
Wessed  work.  He  hath  done  it  efPectviaily  by  shedding  his  precious 
blood.  And  every  believer  in  Jesus  is  the  only  blessed  man,  whose 
sins  are  covered  by  his  all-perfect  righteousness.  Hei'e  is  the  true 
source  and  spring  of  charity,  or  rather  love,  love  to  God  and  man. 
«We  love  God,  because  he  first  loved  us,"  1  John  iv.  19.  And 
through  the  faith  of  this  vrc  obey  his  commandment,  «  Love  one 
another." 

Of  this  charity,  or  love,  the  most  excellent  things  are  spoken, 
1  Cor.  xiii.  It  is  in  the  heart  of  every  believer.  Love  influences  to 
put  the  best  constructions  upon  the  behaviour  of  others :  to  hide  their 
faults  v/ith  a  veil  of  charity  ;  to  cast  a  mantle  of  kindness  over  their 
failings.  Like  the  painter,  who  drew  the  picture  of  Alexander 
with  his  finger  on  the  scar  in  his  face  :  so  love  has  a  kind  finger  to 
l\idc  the  scars  and  blemishes  and  to  cover  the  sins  of  others.  Love 
sees  no  faults.  See  it  exemplified  in  that  most  illustrious  exemplar 
of  charity,  Jesus,  in  his  deep  distressing  cgonies  aiKl  conflicts 
in  the  gai'den,  when  one  would  have  thought  his  dear  disciples  could 
not  be  so  regardless  of  his  sufferings,  so  deaf  to  his  request,  as  not 
to  v/atch  with  him  one  hour.  But,  instead  of  this,  they  indulged 
themselves  with  sleep.  Here  love  covered  this  fault.  "  The  Spirit 
is  willing."  Love  speaks  what  is  right.  Love  finds  an  excuse  for 
what  is  wrong,  "  The  flesh  is  weak."  And  when  the  same  most 
blessed  pattern  of  love  hung  expiruig  in  the  greatest  agonies  on  the 
cross,  yet  arnidst  all  the  taunts  and  jeers  of  his  enemies  and  mur- 
tlerers,-  love  vented  itself  with  his  expiring  breath,  "  Father,  forgive 
them  ;"  adding  this  is  a  veil  or  covering',  ','  for  tliey  know  not  what 
they  do."  Thus  hath  Jesus  left  us  an  example.  He  hath  given  us 
£  new  commandment,  «  Love  one  another."  May  the  spirit  of  love 
Iccep  alive  this  heavenly  temper,  and  blow  up  every  spark  into  a 
fcrvejjt  flame,  that  all  men  may  know  his  disciples  by  this  badge  oi 
charity  or  love,  and  be  forccil  to  confess,  "  Sec  how  these  chri-oliani. 
love,  one  another." 

JLnvo  suffers  long  witli  patient  eye,  ISIillice  Rnd  rage,  tliosc  fires  of  hell. 

Nor  is  provok'd  in  baste  ;  She  quen'clies  v  ith  ]ier  tongue ;    ~ 

h\\c  lots  tlie^prcscnt  inj'i'v  flie,  .Hopes  and  believes,  an<J  thii\ks  no  ill. 

And  long  forgets  the  past-  Tho'  slie  endures  the  wrong. 


DECEMBER  24.  371 

Wherefore  he  is  able  to  save  to  the  uttermosty  all  who  come 
unto  GoUby  hiniy  seeing  he  ever  liveth  tomake  interces- 
sion for  them. — Hcb.  vii.  25. 

When  the  strong  blasts  of  temptations  blow,  the  swelling  wave* 
of  corruptions  lift  up  their  heads  :  sulan  casts  his  fiery  darts :  the 
thunders  of  Sinai  roar:  the  law  threatens  wrath  and  dcslruclioji : 
carnal  reason  pleads  :  unbelief  pronounces  hopeless  despair  on  tl\cni: 
happy  for  believers  to  take  up  the  language  of  faith,  expressed  by 
the  children  of  God  of  old,  "  We  arc  not  careful  to  answer  in  tliis 
matter  :  our  God,  wliom  wc  serve,  is  able  to  deliver  us  ;  and  he  will 
deliver  us,"  Dun.  iii.  16,  17.  Admirable  failh  ajid  fortitude  !  A 
shining  example  of  Old-Testament  saints,  woriliy  to  be  imitated  by 
New-Testament  disciples.  Such  a  conduct  yields  ease  to  the  muid, 
and  peace  to  tlie  conscience  ;  while  it  confesses  Jesus  tlie  only  Sa- 
viour, it  gives  him  the  glory  due  to  his  llame.  Ajid,  verily,  accord- 
ing to  their  faith  so  it  was.  They  were  saved  to  the  uttermost. 
Though  cast  into  the  fiery  furnace,  they  had  the  presence  ef  Jesus  ; 
and" he  delivered  them  out  of  it  unhurt. 

Who  can  prescribe  bounds  t&  the  salvation  of  Jesus  ?  He  saves 
according  to  his  ability.  Who  can  limit  that  which  extends  to  the 
uttermost  ?  Thou  comer  to  God  by  Jesus,  thmk  not  sin  is  too  strong 
in  thee  for  Jesus  to  save  thee  from.  "  He  is  almighty  to  save  to  the 
uttermost."  Art  thou  not  v,  illing  thus  to  be  saved  ?  Verily  faith 
longs  for  it,  love  desires  it,  hope  expects  it.  Stagger  not  through 
unbelief.  Our  object  of  faith  is  a  once  crucified  Jesus,  and  ever- 
living,  interceding  man  and  Mediator,  and  who  is  also  the  omnipotent 
God.  Is  any  thing  too  hard  for  the  Lord  ?  Why  tlien  should  sin 
hold  thee  one  moment  under  its  power  ?  why  should  it  at  all  distress 
thy  mind  ?  Nay,  it  could  not,  but  for  thy  unbelief.  But  is  not  the 
strength  of  Jesus  the  most  powerful  encouragement  for  poor  sinners 
to  come  to  God  continually  ?  A  throne  of  grace  is  ever  open.  A  God 
of  love  "  seated  on  it.  Jesus  ever  lives,  and  always  prays.  A  sal- 
vation to  the  uttermost  perfection  is  promised,  andthc  infinitely 
powerful  Jehovah"  able  to  effect  it.  Coming  to  God  by  Jesus,  O 
this  is  a  sweet  mystery  for  faith  to  feed  upon,  to  be  nourished  and 
strengthened  by  !  We  arc  confident  of  access,  perfectly  sure  of  accep- 
tance by  Jesus.  We  are  not  left  to  perhaps  or  peradventure,  because 
it  is  not  founded  upon  ourselves,  upon  what  we  have  done  or  can  do, 
but  upon  the  eternal  life,  everlasting  love,  and  unchangeable  pric»t- 
hood  of  Jesus. 

Clirlst  over-i-ules  all  mortal  tilings,  Oiir  sorrows  an.l  our  tr.-.n  wr  pour 

Ami  manages  .nil  otir  afllurs  ;  Into  tlic  l.osomof  our  C(h1  ; 

On  humble  souls  tbc  King  of  kings  lie  hears  us  in  the  nionrnful  huor, 

Bcs».ow3  Us  counsels  an.l  his  crl.-s.  \m\  hflps  OS  hear  the  Iicary  loa»f. 


372  DECEMBER  25, 

Behold,  a  virgin  shall  conceive  and  bear  a  son^  and  shall 
call  his  7iame  Immanuel. — Isa.  vii.  14. 

On  this  prophecy  iuaigs  the  hopes  of  fallen  smners.  Had  this 
word  failed,  we  were  all  damned  forever.  Horror  eternal  awaited 
us.  Hell  eternal  must  have  been  our  doom.  God  must  be  born  a 
babe  in  time,  or  sinful  man  is  forever  lost.  But,  O  my  fellow  sinners, 
all  hall !  I  congrutulate  you.  This  day  is  this  scripture  fulfilled. 
This  virgin  hath  conceived.  This  son,  this  Imniiuiuel  is  born,  God 
in  our  nature  :  God  with  us:  God  for  us,  we  behold  in  Jesus.  He 
says,  "  I  was  set  up  from  everlasting,"  (as  the  covenant  head  of  my 
people) — "  My  delights  were  Avith  the  sons  of  men,"  Pi'ov.  viii.  23, 
31.  O,  he  hath  shewn  how  he  delighted  over  us,  how  he  rested  for 
'ever  in  his  love  to  us.  For  he  came  to  visit  us  in  our  flesh.  "  Verily 
he  took  not  on  him  the  nature  of  angels,"  but  he  became  a  babe  in 
human  flesh,  a  man  in  stature;  born  to  save,  lived  to  justify,  died  to 
redeem— who?  fallen  angels?  No.  They  are  left  reserA'^ed  in  chains 
of  darkness.  But  unto  us  sinners  against  God,  us  miserable  apos- 
tates from  God,  in  the  very  same  desperate  state  as  devils  are  : 
behold  "  unto  us  a  child  is  born  ;  unto  us  a  son  is  given."  That  we 
who  are  filthy  by  birth,  and  polluted  by  nature,  might  haA'^e  a  holy 
birth,  and  a  sanctified  nature  in  him.  "  The  government  is  upon 
his  shoulders."  He  is  our  King.  He  reigns  over  us,  for  us,  and 
in  us.  Our  souls  and  all  our  concerns  are, safe  in  his  hands.  "  His 
name  is  wonderful."  In  his  conception,  his  birth,  his  person, 
God  and  man  in  one  Christ;  in  his  life,  his  death,  his  resurrection, 
ascension,  and  intercession,  AAondcrful.  In  his  love  to  us,  and  sal- 
\-ation  of  us,  Avonderful.  "  Counsellor."  He  poAverfulIy  pleads  our 
cause  above  :  he  sAveetly  counsels  our  hearts  .belovv  to  come  to  him  ; 
so  Ave  find  blessed  rest  in  him.  "  The  mighty  God."  No  less 
Gould  save  us.  Jesus  is  the  God  of  our  salvation.  "  The  ever- 
lasting p-ATHER."  He  begets  us  to  himself  by  the  Avord  of  his 
grace.  The  most  tender  parent  on  earth  never  loved  his  children  as 
Jesus  loves  us.  The  Prince  of  Peace,"  Isa.  ix.  6.  He  is  ever 
at  peace  Avith  us,  has  made  peace  for  us,  bestoAvs  his  peace  on  us. 

O,  ye  sinners  of  the  human  race,  if  as  verily  as  the  virgin  con- 
ceived and  brought  forth  this  son,  your  hearts  conceive  Jesus  by 
faith,  this  Avill  bring  forth  holy  love  to  Jesus.  The  birth  of  Jesus  is 
our  delicious  Christmas  fare.  Behold  it,  says  the  prophet ;  dwell 
on  it  in  your  minds,  feed  on  it  in  your  hearts.  To  conceive  of  our 
Lord  becoming  a  babe,  living  in  flesh  for  us,  dying  on  the  accursed 
tree  to  take  aAvay  our  sins  and  save  our  souls ;  Avhile  we  count  all 
other  hopes  vain,  O  this  makes  us  keep  a  joylul  Christmas  all  the 
year  round.  For  this  I^rings  "  glory  to  God  in  the  hif>hcst,  peace  on 
earth,  good  will  towards  men,"  Luke  ii.  14. 


DECEMBER  26.  373 

fFe  are  his  workmanship,  created  in  Clirist  Jesus  untoi^ood 
works,  which  God  hath  before  orduim  d  that  we  should 
walk  in  thevu — Eph.  ii.  10. 

Upon  a  survey  of  the  works  of  creation,  the  psultnist  cries  out 
with  admiration,  <«  O  Lord,  how  manifold  arc  thy  works,  in  wisdom 
hast  thou  made  them  all !"  Is  such  a  display  of  wisdon*  and  plory 
visible  in  tlie  objects  of  time  and  sense,  which  perish  in  tUi:  usinj^, 
and  are  destined  to  destruction  ?  O,  what  inliniie  riches  of  wisdom, 
glory,  and  love,  are  manifest  in  the  new  creation  in  Christ  Jtsus, 
which  are  of  a  spiritual  and  eternal  nature  !  Sucli  is  the  occonomy  of 
the  covenant  of  grace,  the  glorious  three  persons  in  the  evcr-adoral)le 
trinity  concur  in  the  salvation  of  sinners,  God  the  Fattier  elects  in 
Christ  Jesus  to  glory,  and  ordains  good  works,  as  the  fruits  of  ever- 
lasting love,  for  all  the  heirs  of  salvation  to  walk  hi.  Jesus,  in  whom 
they  are, chosen,  atones  for  all  the  guilt  of  their  sins,  and  fiecs  tiiom 
from  all  the  condemnation  of  the  law.  And  Uic  divine  Spirit  creates 
their  souls  anew  in  righteousness,  psace,  aiid  holiness.  But  why 
doth  lie  say,  "  created  in  Clnist  Jesus  ?''  Because  we  are  his  mem- 
bers ;  one  with  him,  beloved  in  him,  chostu  in  him,  viewed  in  him  ; 
loved  with  the  very  same  love,  as  Jesus  our  head  is — John  xvii.  23. 
What  is  v/rought  in  us  by  the  power  of  God  the  Spirit,  is  not  to 
gloii*\'  us  in  our  ov.n  eyes,  to  make  us  hidf pendent  of  our  head, 
Jesus  ;  but  to  glorify  him,  and  keep  us  in  close  union  to,  and  sweet 
comiTiunion  with  him  ;  that  so  our  good  works,  our  fruits  of  right- 
eousness which  arc  by  Jesus  Christ,  may  abound  to  the  gloiy  of  God. 
How  awful  is  this  delusion,  under  the  pretence  of  exalting  Jesus  to 
depreciate  the  work  of  his  Spirit  in  us^  How  fatal  the  nui.ti.kc  of 
thinking  our  good  works  arc  to  rcconuuend  us  to  God's  favor  ?  But 
how  does  the  devil  amuse  poor  dead  sinners  with  notions  of  good 
works,  and  swell  them  with  the  pride  of  their  works  !  as  tJiough 
they  were  the  price  of  God's  favor,  and  the  purchase  of  his  kingdom. 
All  such  works  are  of  the  flesh,  they  flow  from  pride  and  unbelief, 
and  are  a'curscd.  The  seventeenth  article  of  our  church  speaks  of 
"  walking  rdit^iously  in  good  work-u."  As  though  there  are  no  good 
works,  but  what  "^ring  from  the  religion  of  Jesus.  Christian,  what 
tliou  art  called  to  in  life,  that  thou  art  created  to  in  thy  soul.  Those 
duties  exhorted  to  in  the  word,  thou  hast  strength  to  pcrfonn  by  the 
Spirit.  Therefore,  though  sinful  and  lost,  in  thy  first  creation,  yet 
thou  art  saved  and  righteous  by  the  new  creation  in  Christ  Jesus.  In 
him,  being  one  with  him,  thou  mayest  say  with  Paul,  "  I  have  A\ 
thi-igs  and  abound,"  Phil.  iv.  18. 
No-  t-1  the  teiTois  nftlie  LonJ,  Kul  up  nrc  come  to  Sion's  liill, 

T!,    t.-mi.csl,  fiicrin.lsnK.Vf,  The  ci(y  of  otir  (;<kI. 

Nof  to  the  ti.ni..(vr  of  that  word  "VV  litre  iiiildor  «  onUdoclarc  his  will. 

Which  iWA  on  Sinni  spoke.  And  sj)ic»U  hii  Iotc  abinaj. 

Vot.  I.  Y  V 


374  DECEMBER  27. 

The    God  of  peace   shall  bruise  satan  under  your  feet 
shortly. — Rom.  xvi.  20. 

It  is  very  common  for  the  followers  of  the  Lamb  to  reason,  but 
not  right,  after  this  manner  :  "  how  can  I  be  a  son  of  the  God  of 
peace  ?  how  can  I  be  a  subject  of  the  prince  of  peace,  seeing  I  am 
daily  in  war  and  fi.tjhtings  ?  If  at  any  time  the  sweet  sound  of  peace 
is  heard  iri  my  heart,  aiid  the  comforting  sense  of  peace  is  felt  in  my 
conscience,  soon  some  rebel  lust,  some  sinful  passion,  or  some  fiery 
durt  of  the  enemy,  makes  an  attack  upon  me  ;  hence  war  commences 
and  peace  is  banished."  Nay  but,  soul,  Jesus  is  still  thy  peace.  God 
is  ever  at  peace  with  thee.  Glory  in  this  always.  Know  thou  art  to 
fight  the  good  fight  of  failli  as  a  soldier  of  Jesus.  Thy  present  state 
exposes  thee  to  enemies.  Being  born  again  of  the  Spirit,  thy  flesh 
lusteth  agamst  thee,  and  thou  feelest  it,  art  groaning  under  it  and 
striving  against  it.  The  strong  man,  satan,  who  hei-ctofore  kept  thee 
in  possession,  when  thou  wast  at  peace  with  him,  is  now  cast  cut  by 
Jesus  ;  therefore  he  besieges  and  attacks.  The  v/orld  with  its  vani- 
ties, its  children  witli  tiieir  smiles  and  frowns,  promises  and  threaten- 
ings,  animated  by  "  the  god  of  this  world,"  are  at  war  with  thee  ; 
because  thou  art  not  of  this  world,  but  of  the  kingdom  of  Jesus. 

That  this  combined  power  opposes  thee,  is  a  scriptural  mark  that 
thou  art  born  of  God.  That  tliou  art  at  war  with  them,  is  an  evidence, 
a  happy  evidence  of  the  life  of  thy  soul,  and  of  thy  faith  and  love  in 
Christ  Jesus.  Rather  let  this  strengthen  thy  confidence  than  deject 
thy  mind.  Was  it  any  proof  that  Jesus  was  not  the  Son  of  God,  be- 
cause satan  tried  to  make  liim  question  it,  and  tempted  him  to  idola- 
try, covetousness  and  self-murder  ?  Did  this  destroy  his  hope  and 
peace  in  his  God  and  Father  ?  Nor  need  his  temptations  interrupt 
tliinc.  Thy  God  knows  thou  art  conflicting  with  satan.  It  is  his 
good  pleasure  to  permit  it  for  a  season.  Yea;  he  knows  also  thou 
canst  not  bruise  satan,  much  less  overcome  him.  Natural  men  urc 
ready  to  ask  what  is  tl:is  Lruiiing  of  satan:  we  see  no  need  of  it. 
No,  itib  becar.sfc  they  lie  last  asleep  in  his'  arms.  But  those  who  arc 
aw^ake,  and  flee  from  him,  he  ever  tries  to  distress.  But,  U  chris- 
tian, here  is  tliy  comfort,  Jesus  has  bruised  the  serpent's  head,  I'hy 
assurance  of  victory  lies  in  the  almighty  power  of  Jesus,  and  faithful 
proltnise  of  thy  Father.  Look  up  with  confidence  for  as  sure  as  satan 's 
head  is  bruised,  thy  God,  who  is  at  peace  with  thcc,  is  at  war  with 
every  enemy  that  is  against  thee.  Fight  with  courage.  He  will 
strengthen  thee  to  stand  against,  yea  more,  give  thee  perfect  victory 
over  all  the  powers  of  daikness,  all  the  malice  of  hell.  As  a  vanquish- 
td  foe  ihou  sbalt  tread  satan  under  thy  feet  shortly.  "  Say  to  thejn 
that  are  of  u  fearful  heart,  L^c  strong,  feai-  not :  behold  your  God  will 
come  with  vengcanccj  (against  the  enemy)  he  will  come  and  save 
YOU,"  Isa.  XXXV.  4. 


DECEMBER  28.  375 

rut  ye  on  the  LordJesus  Christ.-^Rom.  xrii.  li. 

i\Ian  vs  an  active  being.  Happiness  is  liis  pursuit.  «'  ^V!.o  will 
shew  mc  any  good  :"  is  his  continual  enquiry.  But  to  seek  it  from 
wrong  objects  is  his  constat  practice.  Hence  naturally  we  arc  ever 
restless  aiul  unea.sy.  The  ncw-bora  soul  only  has  found  the  centre 
ol!truc  felicity,  real  good,  and  permanent  happiness,  in  tin- know- 
ledge  ami  enjoyment  of  his  Saviour  I  Here  paradise  is  V(.;^aincd  :  a 
heaven  of  bliss  is  restored  to  his  soul.  It  is  the  peculiar  gloiy  of 
the  go<-pel,  it  ever  presents  a  precious  object  to  our  mind,  even  the 
Lord  Jesus,  from  whom  alone  we  derive  peace  of  conscience,  joy  of 
heait,  and  transport  of  soul.  Is  there,  believer,  a  day  in  tl;e  year, 
an  hour  in  the  day,  wherein  thou  wouklsl  pray  to  be  excused  from 
putting  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  as  the  perfection  of  thy  nature, 
and  the  adorning  of  thy  soul  ?  Surely  notr  As  "  one  made  alive  from 
tlie  dead,"  the  Holy  Ghost,  by  the  word,  stirs  up  tliy  "  pure  mind, 
by  way  of  remembrance."  Thou  art  not  called  to  dream  over  dry, 
heathenish  lectures  of  morality  j  nor  from  philosophic  rules  to  ac- 
quire this  and  the  other  habit  of  virtue;  jiciiher  art  thou  left  to  liccn- 
tiousr  liberty,  to  make  provision  for  tlie  flesh,  to  fulfil  tlie  lusts  thereof. 
But  it  is  to  be  the  daily  exercise  of  t!'y  believing  mind  to  put  on  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  as  the  essence  of  every  virtue;  for  in  this  coiisisls 
all  thy  present  comfort  and  holiness.  And  by  this  thou  wilt  become 
dead  to  all  the  pleasing,  inviting  objects  that  stand  so  tliick  aiound 
thee  to  beguile  thy  mind,  and  draw  thine  heart  from  its  best  friend. 

The  miser  calls  his  gold  his  own,  it  is  his  god.  Hence  he  exer- 
cises all  his  affections  upon  it,  and  derives  all  his  happiness  from  it 
The  man  of  pleasure  is  in  continual  search  after  tlic  enjoyment  of  new 
delights  from  the  gay  surrounding  objects  of  a  perishing;  world.  In- 
finitely greater  blessings  are  christians  called  to.  O,  belicvci',  Jesus 
is  thine.  In  the  exercise  of  thy  mind  and  the  affectioni  of  thy  soul ; 
put  on  thy  Lord  continually  as  tliy  righteousness,  tliy  syength,  tliy 
riches,  thy  pleasure,  thy  honor,  thy  glory,  tliy  all.  Oppose  Christ 
to  all  the  pleasures  of  the  world,  to  all  t!ie  delights  of  sense,  and 
every  scene  of  vanity.  Put  on  Christ  in  thy  conscience  ;  there  plead 
the  atonement  of  his  precious  blood  agauist  tlie  guilt  of  s.in,  the  per- 
fection of  his  righteousness  to  every  demand  of  the  law,  the  p;  ev.ilen- 
cy  of  his  intercession  agiunst  all  thy  fears,.the  freeness  and  fulness 
of  his  promisf;s  against  all  thy  doubts.  Boldly  withstand  every  accu- 
sation from  satan  with,  "  Christ  hath  died,  yea  rallicr  is  risen  again  ; 
and  ever  lives  to  make  intercession  for  us  ;"  "  Who  is  he  th.a  ton- 
dcmncth  r"  Rom.  viii.  64. 

Strangely,  my  soul,  art  tliou  arr-iyM         I"  ■'wcctcn  liarniony  of  pr»i»c 
B;  tlK^ncai  sacrcU  tLicc  !  1  "  -^'-^  '-h'  I'owcn  agree. 


376  DECEMBER  29. 

The  end  of  all  things  is  at  hand:  be  ye  therefore  sober  ^  and 
"watch  unto  prayer, — Pet  iv.  7. 

Yesterday  we  were  born.  To-day  we  live.  To-morrow  we 
die.  The  sum  total  of  human  life  is  justly  calculated  by  the  hoary, 
hetided  patriarch,  Jacob,  "  Few  and  evil  have  the  days  of  the  years 
of  my  life  been,"  Gen.  xlvii,  9.  A  truth  this  that  lies  level  with 
the  common  observation  and  judgment  of  all  men  ;  but  is  admitted 
into  the  regenerate  heart  and  conscience  only  with  ihdt  importance  it 
demands,  so  as  suitably  to  affect  the  mind  and  influence  the  con- 
duct. Hence,  the  absolute  necessity  of  divine  faith  ;  the  continual 
need  of  the  believing  soul  exercising  his  mt:ditations  upon  the 
sure  and  certain  approaching  dissolution  of  ail  tliu;gs.  So  he  learns 
to  die  dviily  to  the  perishing  objects  of  time  and  sense  ;  and  to  live 
like  himself,  as  an  immortal  inhabitant  of  a  city  that  hath  founda- 
tions, whose  builder  and  maker  is  God.  To  live  and  lean  upon  our 
beloved  Jesus  as  the  stay  of  one's  soul  and  the  strength  of  one's 
hope  this  is  true  happiness.  While  all  things  below  perish  in  ihe 
using ;  invisible  realities  ripen  in  prospect,  and  most  powerfully 
engage  our  affections  ;  because  they  are  durable  and  eternal.  Hence, 
the  soul  is  excited  to  watchfulness,  that  he  may  stand — to  prayer, 
that  he  may  be  kept — and  to  sobriety,  that  he  may  persevere.  O, 
believer,  thou  canst  not  but  count  drunkencss  <uid  whoredom  great 
sins  ;  but  know  also,  the  cares,  riches,  pleasures,  and  honors  of 
this  world,  as  really  intoxicate'  the  mind, and  cause  the  heart  to  be 
guilty  of  spiritual  adultery  against  thy  loving,  lawful  bridegroom, 
Jesus,  as  outward,  gross  sins  do  the  body.  What  need,  what  daily 
need  hast  thou  to  watch  constantly,  to  be  sober  continually,  and  to 
pray  always  ?  Pride  is  contrary  to  sobriety  of  judgment  of  thyself. 
Lust  and  intemperance  are  inconsistent  with  the  soundness  of  thy 
faith,  and  stability  of  thy  hope,  and  the  exercise  of  thy  love.  These 
are  even  at  hand  to  beset  thee.  Say,  therefore,  when  canst  thou 
dispense  with  a  watchful  frame  of  spii'it  ?  when  intermit  in  prayer 
to,  and  dependence  on  thy  God  ?  O,  thc^wect  exercise  of  watching 
imto  prayer,  for  divine  power :  in  prayer,  for  sweet  enlargement : 
after  prayer,  for  a  comfoi  table  answer  from  our  Lord  !  Ever  may 
this  just  reflection  bct)n  thy  mind,  when  tempted  or  inclined  to  cast 
in  thy  lot  with  the  carnal,  and  to  indulge  thyself  in  attending  the 
bewitching  scenes  of  sin,  folly  and  \  unity  :  am  I  now  acting  like  one 
who  knows  the  end  of  all  things  is  at  hand  ?  do  I  behave  as  one  in 
his  right  mind  ?  am  T  watching  unto  prayer  ?  can  I  desire,  pray  for, 
and  expect  the  sense  of  Jesus's  love  and  presence  to  be  with  me  ? 
Remember  thy  calling  ;  it  is  to  love  and  live  upon  an  unseen  Jesus, 
and  to  act  as  ddly  expecting  to  "  receive  the  end  of  thy  laith,  tlje 
salvation  of  thy  soul,"  1  Pet.  i,  9. 


DECEMBER  30.  377 

But  thaids  he  Corl  who  givcth  us  the  victory  throuirh  our 
LordJesus  Christ — I  Cor.  xv.  57. 

Death,  thoiip;h  conrjiicrcd  liy  Jesus  ;  thoi!p;h  disai-mcd  (>f  iis 
strencjth  and  stiiifi^  by  oni*  victorious  Lord,  so  that  it  caimot  destroy, 
nay,  not  wound  or  hurt  the  soul  of  any  cue  of  his  dear  mcmlK-rs  ; 
yet  it  is  still  an  enemy,  a  formid-JjIc,  disaj:jrecal>lc  enemy  to  nature. 
When  we  are  le^f  to  our  natural  conceptions,  death  appeals  to  us  mIiIj 
the  ^rim  v'safrp  of  «  the  kinfj  of  terrors.''  We  cannot  ^^el  rid  of  our 
fears,  nor  are  we  able  to  make  him  put  on  a  more  amiable  aspect. 
Bjit  when  in  the  simplicity  of  little  children,  we  p;o  to  our  heavenly 
Father,  and  tell  hiin  how  we  are  uflfriR-hted and  icirificd  at  the  thought 
and  apprmch  of  that  dreadful  enemy,  he  drives  away  our  fears  and 
terrors,  and  relieves  otir  minds.  Rut  how  docs  our  ulVectionatc  Fa- 
ther pfTect  this  ?  by  telUnq;  us  we  are  perfect  and  sinless,  and  there, 
fore  wc  have  overcome  death,  we  shall  npv?r  die,  we  have  nothing 
to  fear,  death  connot  hurt  us  ?  No;  thouq;h  we  are  sinners  in  our- 
selves, and  as  such  must  die  ;  though  we  arc  without  strength  to 
grapple  with  ajid  su!)du'^  this  powerful  enemy,  and  though  our  bodies 
must  fall  victims  to  bis  stroke,  yet.  "praise  ihi-  Lord,  O  my  soul,  prai.sc 
him  all  his  samts."  he  giveth  us  the  victory  ;  he  puts  songs  of  triumph 
into  our  mouths,  our  hearts  ;  not  for  what  Wi-  have  done,  hut  our 
Father  refers  us  to  the  glorious  atchievcments  of  our  eldtTbrolIicr, 
Jesus  ;  he  hath  obtained  a  perfect  conquest  for  all  the  children  of 
his  Father's  family;  and  victory  is  not  only  proclaimed  but  j^'ven. 
Jesus  is  the  unspeakable  gift  of  the  Father's  love  ;  victory  over  death 
is  given  through  Jesus  ;  faith  to  believe  it  in  the  heart,  and  triun.ph 
over  it  in  the  conscience,  is  his  free  gift  also.  Thus  the  Spirit  testi- 
fies of,  and  glorifies  Jesus  ;  thus  his  members  rejoice  in  tlie  truth, 
and  are  comforted  by  the  truth. 

Death  was  brought  into  the  world  by  the  father  of  lies,  he  is  van- 
quished and  destroyed  by  Jesus,  who  is  essentially  (/le  truth.  <'  The 
soul  that  sinneth  shall  die."  Die  man,  or  justice  must.  The  man 
Jesus,  the  sinner's  surety,  fell  a  sacrifice  to  this  truth  ;  hcjtcc  truth 
is  fulfilled  in  his  death,  justice  is  satisfied,  death  is  disarnud  of  iti 
sting,  which  is  sin.  Jesus  hath  "  put  away  sin,  by  the'sacrifit  c  oJ  him- 
self," Hcb.  ix.  26.  "And  the  strength  of  sin,  which  is  the  law, 
Jesus  hath  perfectly  fulfilled  in  his  life  for  us."  lie  hath  fully  iiuswer- 
ed  all  its  demands,  and  by  him  all  its  accusations  arc  silenced.  Pre- 
cious Christ!  Happy  believer  1  What  harm  can  the  most  fierce,  poison- 
ous monster  do  thee  when  it  hath  lost  its  sling,  end  is  without  any 
strength  ?  Most  precious  tniih  I  "  Death  is  yours,"  •  ^O'"-  '"•  *^* 

Now  to  the'God  of  victory  Vlio  makes  iis  coujiuVor*  m  liilc  wc  die. 

LniAort^l  tUauks  be  paid  }  Tint)'  Cliri«i  our  living  laud. 


578  DECEMBER  31. 

Then  shall  the  king  say  unto  them  on  his  right  hand,  Come^ 
ye  blessed  of  my  Father^  inherit  the  kingdom  prepared 
for  you,  from  the  foundation  of  the  Tyor/c/.-Miitt.xxv.34. 

This  is  a  joyful  word  to  our  hearts  now,  "  Come,  let  us  reeisori 
together,  saith  the  Lord  ;  though  your  sins  be  as  scarlet,  they  shall 
be  as  white  as  snow:  though  they  be  red  like  crimson,  they  shall  be  as 
wool,"  Isa.  i.  18.  This  is  another  precious  word  from  Jesus  to  our 
souls,  "  CosiE  unto  me  all  ye  that  labour  and  are  heavy  laden,  and  I 
will  give  you  rest."  O,  but  this  last  come,  from  the  lips  of  our 
KING,  will  be  the  most  joyful  crowning  word  of  all  I  The  best  wme  is 
reserved  for  the  last.  Every  soul  who  hath  tasted  of  the  first  on  earth, 
shall  assuredly  drink  his  fill  at  the  fountain-head,  in  a  blissful,  never- 
ending  eternity  of  glory.  "  Ye  blessed  of  my  Father  ;"  beloved 
from  eternity,  and  blessed  to  eternity.  Chosen  in  me,  blessed  iu 
me  with  all  spiritual  blessings,  I  was  given  to,  I  sought  you,  and 
gathered  you  to  myself  in  time  ;  now  come  to  live  and  reign  with  me 
for  ever  in  my  kingdom.  O,  is  not  the  thoughts  of  this  enough  to 
make  one  wish  to  break  through  the  walls  of  our  prison,  the  hotly  I 
Praise,  O  soul !  Call  together  all  thy  faculties  I  Rather,  O  divine 
Spirit,  realize  the  view,  bring  near  the  solemn,  joyful  day  to  our 
minds  !  Give  us  even  now  to  dwell  on  it  with  ri;pture  oi  affections 
and  ardor  of  love. 

"Inherit  the  kingdom  prepared  for  yoQ;"  not  bought  by  your  good 
works,  nor  purchased  by  your  well-doings,  not  obtained  by  your  faith- 
fulness, but  by  the  free-gift  of  my  Father's  love  and  good  pleasure, 
richly  prepared  by  his  free-grace  and  bounty,  purposely  reserved  for 
you.  Come  ye  ;  all  of  ye.  Not  one  of  my  little  flock  shall  be 
wanting  ;  there  is  a  mansion  for  each  of  you  ere  you  had  a  being,  or 
time  commenced  ;  the  kingdom  was  estabiisihed,  the  heirs  chosen, 
places  prepared.  I  visited  you  on  earth,  so  that  you  loved  me 
though  you  saw  me  not :  I  invisibly  wo-rkcd  upon  your  hearts,  and 
drew  them  out  in  love  to  myself,  my  cause,  and  my  brethren,  so  you 
approved  yourselves  my  disciples  by  following  my  example.  Come 
ye,  enter,  possess,  and  enjoy  what  you  v\''ere:born  for?  born  again 
to  be  meet  for.  O,  mcthinks  it  strikes  one's  heart  with  heavenly 
joy,  to  conceive  of  the  loud  hosannas  and  shoutings,  (O  that  we  may 
catch  the  heavenly  flame  !)  "Salvation  to  our  God,  who  sitteih  upon 
the  tiironc  and  unto  the  Lamb,  unto  him  that  loved  us  and  washed 
us  from  our  sins  in  his  own  blood  and  hath  made  us  kings  and  priests 
unto  God  and  his  Father ;  to  him  be  glory  and  dominion  for  ever 
and  ever.     Amen."  Rev.  i.  5,  6. 

Kow  to  the  1.01(1  thrit  miikes  us  know         Be  luiiDblc  lionors  paid  below. 
The  wonders  of  his  d  viug  love,  And  strains  of  nobler  praise  above. 


FEBRUARY  29.  379 

ADDITIONAL  MllDITAriON  FOR  LEAP-YEAR. 

One  born  out  of  due  time. — I  Cor.  xv.  8. 

God's  children  want  no  other,  tliey  caii  have  np  better  proof  of 
the  life,  death,  resurrection,  ascension,  and  intci cession  of  their 
Jesus  than  what  the  scriptures  afford  :  they  say  with  their  niastcr, 
"thy  word  is  truth,"  John  xvii.  17.  They  wish  to  have  no  other 
ideas  of  God,  of  Christ,  and  of  themselves^  than  what  the  scriptui-ci 
impress  on  their  minds.  They  are  fully  satisfied  of  their  hope  of 
salvation  by  Jesus  only.  This  is  the  reasoning  of  their  faith  :  »» if 
vvc  receive  the  witness  of  men,  the  witness  of  God  is  greater," 
1  John  V.  Q.  God  has  borne  witness  to  his  Son  Jesus  in  every  type, 
ceremony,  and  prophesy  of  the  Old-Testament :  aiul  by  such  signs, 
miracles,  and  even  by  his  voice  from  heaven  in  the  New,  as  arc 
incontcstible.  And  beside  all  these,  the  Spirit  of  God  bears  the 
inward  testimony  of  f.vith,  that  our  Jesus  is  risen.  For  we  find  bur 
hearts  attracted  to  him,  our  afTections  set  on  him,  and  we  enjoy 
sweet  fellowship  with  hhn.  This  is  of  distinguishing  grace,  "One 
shall  be  taken  and  another  left."  "  This  is  hid  from  the  wise  and 
prudent,  and  revealed  unto  babes."  What  shall  we  say  to  this? 
"  Even  so  Father,  for  so  it  seemed  good  in  thy  sight."  Such  hum- 
ble sentiments  arc?  in  all  who  have  the  mind  of  Christ.  So  Paul, 
when  he  saw  himself  a  miracle  of  grace,  accounted  himself  an 
abortion  in  nature  ;  as  mean,  as  contemptible  as  a  child  born  by 
miscarriage,  before  its  due  time  and  proper  growth  ;  "  tlie  least  of 
all  apostles  ;"  yea,  as  though  he  wanted  words  fully  to  express  the 
opinion  he  had  of  himself,  not  only  a  sinner,  but  the  cuiet  ok 
SINNERS.  Not  only  the  least,  but  "me  who  am  less  than  the 
least  of  all  saints,"  Eph.  iii.  8.  Paul  had  now  done  with  his  no- 
tions of  fulfilling  terms  and  conditions  to  obtain  God's  favor,  and  en- 
title himself  to  salvation.  O,  now  Christ  was  revealed  in  him  ! 
He  saw  his  glory  full  of  grace  and  truth.  This  stained  all  his  former 
pride,  laid  his  honor  in  the  dust,  and  stopt  his  mouth  to  sclf-righlcous 
confidence  and  human  glorying.  Sli-angc  prc-requisites  Paul  pos- 
sessed to  qtjalify  him  for  the  grace  of  (Jodl  Yet  no'  one  sinner  by 
nature  can  boast'  of  any  better.  But  the  same  Lord  who  wrought 
eflcctually  in  Peter,  was  mighty  in  Paul,  and  he  also  converts  every 
redeemed  soul  to  Jesus.  Let  us  not  envy  others  their  lofty  lhou];hf> 
of  themselves,  nor  murmur  again?-t  our  Saviour  for  keeping  us  low 
and  hunililc. 

But  if  Paul  had,  if  all  the  children  of  God  have  such  mean  con- 
tcmpiiblc  ihoughls  of  themselves,  are  soliulc  and  base  in  their  own 
eyes,  will  not  satan  attack  and  aim  to  distress  them  ?  Doubtless  he 
will.     For  where  be  caimot  delude  siiincrs  into  a  nolion  tiiai  tl.cjr 


380  FEBRUARY  29. 

are  righteous  and  perfect  in  themselves,  h(?  aims  to  distress  them 
for  want  of  perfection.  In  the  day  of  health,  in  the  time  of 
sickness,  and  perhaps,  most  powerfully  in  the  hour  of  death,  satan 
will  inject  into  the  mind  these  fiery  darts:  "you  a  child  of  God, 
you  a  member  of  Jesus,  whenever  loved  God  perfectly,  served  him 
faithfully,  nor  obeyed  him  sincerely  !  In  all  things  you  have  siimed. 
His  law  curses  you;  his  justice  is  incensed  against  you;  his  wrath  is 
ready  to  fall  on  you.  Your  faith  is  fancy ;  your  hope  delusion ;  hell  will 
be  your  portion."  O,  what  can  any  poor  sinner  say  to  all  this  ?  What 
can  he  do  against  all  this?  Siiy !  Glorify  his  Lord,  by  confessing.  Lord 
I  am  damned,  but  thou  hast  died;  but  for  thy  salvation,  my  state  is  as 
desperate  as  devils.  What  can  he  do  ?  Honor  his  Lord,  by  obeying 
his  word,  "put  on  the  whole  armour  of  God,  that  ye  may  stand  in  this 
evil  day,  and  above  all  (or  rather  upon  all  other  parts  of  it)  take  the 
shield  of  faith,  wherewith  ye  shall  be  able  to  quench  all  the  fiery  darts 
of  the  wicked  one,"  Eph.  vi.  11,  16.  Fiery  darts!  Yes,  being  dipt  in 
the  wrath  and  terrors  of  a  broken  law,  they  weund,  inflame,  and 
bring  the  fire  of  hell  into  the  conscience.  Wiiut  is  this  shield  of 
faith  ?  The  belief  that  Jesus  is  to  us  sinners  a  Saviour  ;  that  his 
blood  has  perfectly  atoned  for  our  sins  ;  his  righteousness  has  fully 
justified  our  persons ;  and  tliat  thei'e  is  no  condcnrnation  to  us. 
Thus  shall  these  fiery  darts  of  satan  be  quenched,  and  our  con- 
science healed  ;  this  and  nothing  but  this,  can  efiVct  it.  Mind  this 
precious  Avord,  "  ye  shall  be  able."  The  ability  of  our  faith  is  no- 
thing less  than  the  almighty  power  of  Jesus  our  God.  This  is  en- 
gaged for  us.  By  this  wc  shall  stand  against  every  assult  of  satan  ; 
and  all  shall  issue  in  present  peace  of  conscience,  and  eternal  sal- 
vation of  soul.  This  is  the  glory  of  a  christian,  to  resist  satan  in 
the  faith  of  what  Jesus  is  to  him  and  hath  done  for  him.  We  are 
sure  to  overcome  him  by  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  but  in  no  other 
way.  "  Shortlv,  our  God  of  peace  shall  forever  bruise  satan  under 
our  feet."  We  "shall  return  and  come  to  Zion  with  songs  (of  free 
grace)  and  everlasting  joy  shall  be  on  our  heads,  and  sorrow  and 
sighing  shall  flee  away,"  Isa.  xxxv.   10. 

Now,  christian  reader,  I  commend  thee  toGcd  and  to  the  word 
of  liis  grace,  wishing  thee  sweet  con>.fort  in  perusing  these  Daily 
Medjjations.  If  our  I.,ord  give  thee  only  as  much  in  reading  as  I 
have  found  in  writing  them,  thou  wilt  have  great  cause  for  love 
and  praise.  Accept  them  as  the  labour  of  one  "  who  is  no  prophet, 
nor  the  son  of  a  prophet ;"  but  who  can,  from  his  heart,  say  with 
Gideon,  "  my  family  is  poor,  arid  1  am  tli;^  least  in  my  Father's 
house,"  Judges  vi.  15.  Yet  having  been  taught  somewhat  of  the 
j'lory  of 'Jesus  from  the  w»rd  of  truth,  by  the  grace  of  the  Spirit', 
I  would  rejoice  to  spread  the  glory  of  my  Lord's  precious  name, 


FEBRUARY  29.  >  381 

and  the  comforts  of  liis  everlastingly  finished  salvation,  amonj^  my 
fellow  sinners :  testifyinp;,  that  all  my  hope  of  etcn.ul  life  is  fixed 
upon  the  Son  of  God,  who  was  crucified  on  mount  Calvary  ;  there- 
fore would  glory  in  being  a  saved  sinner  by  tlie  cross  of  Jesus,  and 
in  tUc  name  of  a  Calvaryist. 

Glory  be  to  God  in  the  highest.    Grace  be  with  ;ill  them  who  love 
our  Loi-d  Jesus  Christ  in  sincerity.    iVmcn. 


Vol.  I.  'J^  /• 


AM  INDEX 

FOR  THE 

TEXTS  OF  SCRIPTURE   TREATED   OF. 


Chap.  Verse    Page   C 

:;hap. 

Verse    Page  jChap. 

Verse    1 

^age 

Genesis. 

27 

14 

339 

7 

14 

372 

3            1          29 

SO 

5 

35 

8 

13 

45 

8          22        143 

37 

5 

111 

12 

8 

109 

15          12        209 

37 

24 

355 

26 

8 

221 

22          12        236 

38 

4 

28 

28 

16 

283 

25           22        266 

39 

7 

86 

28 

24 

134 

Exodus. 

42 

6 

26 

32 

8 

148 

20          28          96 

42 

11 

66 

32 

17 

289 

33          15        151 

45 

13 

84 

40 

10 

152 

33           19        305 

51 

17 

101 

41 

14 

261 

Leviticus. 

55 

5 

155 

42 

16 

239 

26          44        224 

55 

22 

818 

43 

22 

131 

JVumbers. 

63 

3 

21 

45 

15 

184 

20          10       202 

65 

4 

172 

45 

24 

161 

Deuteronomy. 

68 

18 

£42 

51 

11 

81 

324 

30            6        207 

71 

16 

17 

53 

6 

Joshua. 

73 

24 

344 

54 

5 

94 

7          19        115 

77 

10 

170 

54 

8 

107 

Judges. 
6^,         22-3    247 
6          31        250 

84 

84 

5 
11 

253 
156 

54 
57 

10 
18 

18 

252 

83 

15 

20 

59 

19 

150 

1  Samuel. 

94 

14 

128 

62 

2 

14 

12          22        181 

94 

19 

188 

.Teremiah. 

17          37          69 

106 

15 

117 

3 

14 

49 

2  Samuel. 

no 

3 

359 

15 

10 

163 

15          31         168 

119 

25 

146 

15 

16 

92 

1  Kings. 

119 

49 

113 

17 

5 

33 

14          13        182 

119 

162 

,302 

31 

3 

549 

19          13        291 

119 

165 

234, 

31 

34 

-' '  '"* 

19          20        329 

121 

1 

88 

32 

40 

'v:\ 

2  Kings. 

139 

23-4 

31 

33 

16 

;■,") 

S          13        329 

Proverb 

?. 

45 

5 

137 

2   Chronicles. 

4 

18 

54 

Ezekiel. 

33          16          68 

11 

4 

364 

36 

■26 

196 

Job. 

13 

4 

125 

Daniel 

v^2            9        166 

14 

32 

103 

6 

5 

175 

Psalms. 

17 

17 

323 

Host' a. 

3            2        277 

23 

26 

153 

6 

3 

100 

S            3          79 

24 

32' 

132 

2 

14 

269 

H>           12- 13    47 

28 

K 

43 

Jonah 

■-.'.Z             1        254 

Canticles. 

2 

7 

189 

23             3        105 

1 

2 

348 

Micah. 

27'.         9        337 

Isaiah 

7 

9 

26 

27  *     13        347 

6 

'5 

243 

INDEX. 


CJiap. 

\'erse 

Page 

Chap. 

N'crsc 

l^a:e 

ClK\p. 

\\:sc 

1'.m:c- 

Habakuk. 

23 

43 

7  2 

6 

I 

122 

2 

19  s 

25 

24 

32 

140 

6 

1  I 

25.i 

2 

20 

193" 

24 

43 

113 

6 

U 

3 '  .  j 

Haggai, 

24 

47 

98 

7 

2  1 

111 

2 

45 

222 

JqIiti. 

7 

24 

217 

Zechariah 

I 

14 

60 

a 

I 

28J 

6 

13 

187 

1 

17 

313 

8 

12 

285 

13 

9 

228 

1 

29 

15 

8 

16 

223 

Malachi. 

3 

7 

248 

8 

17 

3U 

3 

16 

268 

3 

8 

42 

« 

26 

206 

Mattfiew. 

6 

39 

27  2 

8 

28 

205 

.  1 

21 

177 

5 

44 

311 

8 

30 

237 

5 

3 

253 

6 

56 

159 

11 

20 

112 

5 

6 

279 

6 

67 

211 

12 

1 

278 

5 

8 

363 

7 

24 

265 

12 

12 

-  129 

5 

16 

297 

8 

31 

32 

13 

11 

361 

5 

44 

2C'0 

8 

56 

317 

13 

14 

375 

7 

12 

74 

10 

27 

197 

14 

22 

294 

7 

14 

192 

10 

2S 

327 

16 

20 

o74 

9 

21 

321 

u 

3 

17h 

1  c 

orinthiana. 

9 

24 

24i 

11 

4 

136 

1 

9 

121 

10 

34 

300 

13 

17 

276 

1 

29-31 

246 

U 

25-26 

167 

14 

1 

138 

3 

3 

102 

11 

•29 

2. -5  8 

14 

J5 

48 

3 

23 

'  93 

12 

eo 

244 

14 

18 

204 

4 

7 

259 

14 

12 

174 

14 

20 

288 

6 

12 

290 

14 

31 

275 

14 

26 

284 

6 

19-20 

360 

15 

23 

55 

15 

10 

83 

9 

27 

127 

25 

34 

378 

16 

2 

225 

12 

3 

210 

26 

56 

369 

16 

13 

194 

15 

8     (addi- 

26 

74 

309 

16 

14 

258 

lioiialmcdiialio 

0379 

27 

4« 

356 

16 

20 

87 

15 

10 

353 

Mark. 

16 

27 

157 

15 

57 

377 

4 

24 

J14 

16 

33 

•  61 

16 

13 

362 

4 

38 

i3l5 

17 

2 

73 

2  C 

oiiTif/iiafia. 

8 

36-37 

226 

17 

17 

352 

I 

10 

361 

10 

38 

24 

17 

17 

37 

1 

20 

26(> 

16 

7 

316 

17 

19 

141 

4 

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51 

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Luke. 
76-77 

338 

1 

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11 

306 

4 
5 

m 

4 

3S 

30 

7 

56 

133 

5 

4 

179 

5 

5 

354 

9 

6 

328 

5 

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304 

9 

62 

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9 

31 

130 

5 

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62 

10 

20 

333 

10 

34-35 

185 

j 

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149 

10 

42 

3G6 

26 

19 

99 

10 

3 

209 

11 

2 

40 

Iio7nc!na. 

1  1 

3 

232 

12 

32 

358 

3 

19 

133 

12 

2 

158 

13 

21 

65 

3 

21 

53 

12 

8 

71 

14 

33 

38 

4 

9 

50 

12 

9 

264 

17 

4 

169 

5 

4 

56 

6* 

al(9ian$ 

17 

32 

310 

5 

10 

257 

1 

7 

186 

18 

7 

19  1 

5 

21 

286 

2 

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22 

4(S 

301 

CS4 

INDE^ 

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Chap. 

Verse 

Page 

Chap. 

Verse' 

Page 

Chap. 

Velfsc 

Pago 

2 

20 

308 

1 

19 

143 

4 

8 

307 

A> 

19 

274 

2 

6 

39' 

1  Peter. 

5 

6 

203 

3 

9 

214 

1 

6 

199 

5 

13 

251 

3 

IG 

126 

1 

15 

322 

5 

17 

249 

4 

8 

22 

2 

2 

350 

5 

22-23 

245 

2 

Timothy. 

2 

7 

76 

6 

3 

262 

1 

9 

77 

2 

11 

46 

6 

14 

227 

3 

16-17 

212 

2 

25 

120 

Ejihcsians. 

Titus. 

3 

4 

180 

1 

4 

123 

1 

I 

106 

3 

8 

27 

1 

6 

23 

1 

2 

164 

3 

15 

233 

2 

5 

162 

2 

14 

34j 

4 

7 

104 

2 

8 

325 

Hebrews. 

4 

7 

376 

2 

10 

373 

1 

3 

52 

4 

8 

370 

•      2 

14 

334 

2 

1 

116 

5 

7 

287 

4 

20-21 

80 

2 

14 

106 

Pe^er. 

4 

30 

293 

3 

6 

44 

1 

14 

97 

5 

15-16 

19 

4 

1 

2j1 

3 

14 

173 

G 

12 

318 

4 

3 

282 

3 

18 

119 

6 

14 

57 

4 

7 

85 

1  Jo//w. 

Philijijiiann 

4 

15 

213 

1 

3 

367 

1 

21 

342 

4 

16 

75 

1 

8 

335 

2 

12 

296 

6 

18 

139 

1 

9 

198 

2 

13 

178 

6 

18 

368 

2 

1 

124 

o 

8 

64 

7 

25 

371 

2 

15 

220 

3 

10 

293 

9 

9 

331 

2 

23 

63 

3 

14 

219 

9 

24 

176 

2 

28 

190 

4 

4 

519 

10 

12 

208 

3 

1 

326 

4 

6 

263 

10 

'23 

195 

3 

2 

67 

4 

19 

332 

10 

36 

41 

5 

1 

165 

Colossians 

11 

1 

340 

5 

10 

231 

i 

12 

346 

12 

1 

230 

5 

11-12 

336 

2 

18 

183 

12 

1 

2;-l2 

5 

13 

160 

3 

15 

of;  5 

12 

3 

240 

5 

20 

216 

3 

24 

G12 

12 

4 

78 

-      5 

21 

16 

4 

6 

89 

12 

14 

82 

2  Jofm. 

1  Ths5sc(07.'u:nf:. 

12 

24 

373 

8 

91 

1 

5 

59 

13 

12 

147 

Jwr/r. 

2  - 

13 

341 

13 

13 

34 

1-2 

357 

^  Theasaloniaiis. 

13 

16 

145 

21 

53 

■'2 

13     • 

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JciDIPS. 

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16-17 

215 

2 

14 

320 

1 

7 

343 

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Tiwotfnj 

3 

17 

235 

16 

15 

70 

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6 

154 

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